Are "Free Flaps" "Free" Flaps?

Publication/Presentation Date

5-1-2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND:  Even standard microvascular tissue transfers are time consuming, require great skill and intensity, and can be stressful. Not surprisingly, work-related relative value units are considered by many microsurgeons to be suboptimal. Some might even say that "free flaps" indeed really are "free" flaps.

METHODS:  A retrospective review of related finances was undertaken for all free flaps performed in a single surgeon private practice during the latest possible year (2014) that included a complete 5-year follow-up to insure receipt of all expected reimbursements from accounts receivable. There were 61 free flaps available; but arbitrarily 12 free flaps were excluded since postmastectomy breast reconstruction always received mandatory insurance payment, as were additional two cases done pro bono as part of an international educational service. This left 47 free flaps to permit determination of gross payments, if any.

RESULTS:  Compensation summated for three distinct time intervals for all free flaps was

CONCLUSION:  A true benefit cost-analysis even if microsurgery specific expenses could be estimated would be inaccurate, so that mean net income for each free flap could not be determined. Albeit a minimal gross payment was obtained for some free flap procedures, in no instance was there

Volume

38

Issue

4

First Page

292

Last Page

295

ISSN

1098-8947

Disciplines

Diagnosis | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Radiology

PubMedID

34404101

Department(s)

Department of Surgery

Document Type

Article

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