The fate of the free flap pedicle after free tissue transfer to the head and neck area.

The fate of the free flap pedicle after free tissue transfer to the head and neck area.

Oral Oncol. 2017 Feb;65:65-67

Authors: Van Genechten ML, Batstone MD

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Little is understood about what happens to the vascular pedicle following free tissue transfer in the head and neck region. The viability of a free flap completely depends on the vascular supply by its vascular pedicle until neovascularization occurs from surrounding tissues. The aim of this study is to find out how long a vascular pedicle lasts following free tissue transfer in the head and neck region.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited from the Maxillofacial Unit at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital. A Doppler ultrasound was used to map the vascular pedicle immediately postoperatively, at 2weeks, 6weeks, 3months and 6months.
RESULTS: Fifty-seven consecutive free flaps underwent colour Doppler ultrasonography at the timepoints described demonstrating the status of the vascular pedicle. All the patients underwent reconstructive head and neck surgery with a wide variety of soft tissue and composite free flaps.
CONCLUSION: This study is the first to document the fate of the vascular pedicle over a long time period for a wide variety of head and neck free flaps. This information is important when undertaking revision surgery to the free flap, or planning the vascular supply for a second or third free flap to the head and neck region.

PMID: 28109470 [PubMed - in process]

from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2kiVTgZ
via IFTTT