Factors Associated with Free Flap Failures in Head and Neck Reconstruction.
Publication/Presentation Date
10-1-2019
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate causes of failure of free flap reconstructions in patients undergoing reconstruction of head and neck defects.
STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review.
SETTING: Single tertiary care center.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients underwent reconstruction between January 2007 and June 2017 (n = 892). Variables included were clinical characteristics, social history, defect site, donor tissue, ischemia time, and postoperative complications. Statistical methods used include univariable and multivariable analysis of failure.
RESULTS: The overall failure rate was 4.8% (n = 43). Intraoperative ischemia time was associated with free flap failures (odds ratio [OR], 1.062; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.019-1.107;
CONCLUSION: Prolonged ischemia time, pedicle revision, and alcohol withdrawal were associated with higher rates of flap failure. Employing strategies to minimize ischemic time may have potential to decrease failure rates. Flaps that require pedicle revision and patients with a history of significant alcohol use require closer monitoring.
Volume
161
Issue
4
First Page
598
Last Page
604
ISSN
1097-6817
Published In/Presented At
Crawley, M. B., Sweeny, L., Ravipati, P., Heffelfinger, R., Krein, H., Luginbuhl, A., Goldman, R., & Curry, J. (2019). Factors Associated with Free Flap Failures in Head and Neck Reconstruction. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 161(4), 598–604. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599819860809
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
31382816
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article