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Microvascular free flaps in head and neck surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Marcelle Macnamara ,
Sarah Pope ,
A. Sadler ,
H. Grant  and
M. Brough
Marcelle Macnamara
Affiliation:
Ferens Institute of Otolaryngology. the Department of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London WIN 8AA.
Sarah Pope
Affiliation:
Ferens Institute of Otolaryngology. the Department of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London WIN 8AA.
A. Sadler
Affiliation:
Ferens Institute of Otolaryngology. the Department of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London WIN 8AA.
H. Grant
Affiliation:
Ferens Institute of Otolaryngology. the Department of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London WIN 8AA.
M. Brough*
Affiliation:
Ferens Institute of Otolaryngology. the Department of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London WIN 8AA.
*
M. Brough, M.A., F.R.C.S., Department of Plastic Surgery, The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London WIN 8AA.
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Abstract

This study is a retrospective review of 60 patients who had microvascular free flap reconstructions in the head and neck region. They were all performed over a 10-year period by a single surgeon. The series includes a wide range of flap types and analyses pre-operative risk factors for flap failure as well as complications and outcome. Smoking and advanced age did not appear to prejudice flap survival but peripheral vascular disease, cardiac disease and alcohol withdrawal were found to increase the likelihood of flap failure. The most frequent complications encountered were thrombosis of one of the anastomosis and haematoma. The most successful flap in terms of survival and function was the fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap. The literature is reviewed in relation to the general principles of microvascular free flap surgery and the results of this series are placed in context.

Keywords

Surgical flaps, microvascularHead and neck, surgerycomplications
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 108 , Issue 11 , November 1994 , pp. 962 - 968
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1994

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