Zoran Marij Arnež1, Federico Cesare Novati1, Vittorio Ramella1, Giovanni Papa1, Matteo Biasotto2, Annalisa Gatto3, Pierluigi Bonini3, Margherita Tofanelli4, Giancarlo Tirelli3. 1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149,Trieste, Italy. 2. Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Dental Sciences, Piazza dell'Ospitale 1, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149,Trieste, Italy. 4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149,Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: margheritatofanelli@hotmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The use of suture anchors has been described in orthopedic, hand, oculoplastic, temporomandibular joint and in aesthetic surgery, but no study reports the use of the Mitek® anchors (Depuy Mitek Surgical Products, Inc. Raynham, Massachusetts) for fixing the free flaps used in oncologic oral and oropharyngeal reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective non-randomized study, 9 patients underwent surgical resection of oral or oropharyngeal cancer followed by a free flap reconstruction; mini anchors were used to fix the flap directly to the bone. We collected data regarding the patients, the tumor stage, the surgical procedure, the radiotherapy and the number of anchors used. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 28months (range 24-38).We observed no complications with trans-oral, sub-mandibular and trans-mandibular approach in both oral and oropharyngeal reconstructions. All anchors became osteo-integrated and no complications occurred after radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion this device favors free flap adhesion to the bone. We registered no postoperative complications related to the use of the device which looks suitable for use in irradiated tissues. The radiotherapy did not cause any long-term complications related to the use of Mitek® mini bone anchors.
PURPOSE: The use of suture anchors has been described in orthopedic, hand, oculoplastic, temporomandibular joint and in aesthetic surgery, but no study reports the use of the Mitek® anchors (Depuy Mitek Surgical Products, Inc. Raynham, Massachusetts) for fixing the free flaps used in oncologic oral and oropharyngeal reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective non-randomized study, 9 patients underwent surgical resection of oral or oropharyngeal cancer followed by a free flap reconstruction; mini anchors were used to fix the flap directly to the bone. We collected data regarding the patients, the tumor stage, the surgical procedure, the radiotherapy and the number of anchors used. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 28months (range 24-38).We observed no complications with trans-oral, sub-mandibular and trans-mandibular approach in both oral and oropharyngeal reconstructions. All anchors became osteo-integrated and no complications occurred after radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion this device favors free flap adhesion to the bone. We registered no postoperative complications related to the use of the device which looks suitable for use in irradiated tissues. The radiotherapy did not cause any long-term complications related to the use of Mitek® mini bone anchors.