Timothy M Connolly1, Larissa Sweeny2, Benjamin Greene2, Anthony Morlandt3, William R Carroll2, Eben L Rosenthal4. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. 2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama. 3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama. 4. Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Maxillectomy defects significantly impair quality of life. Prosthetics can overcome some of these issues, but has limitations. The role of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OC-RFFF) has been established for reconstruction of smaller maxillectomy defects, but its role in larger defects is not well defined. We aim to evaluate outcomes after midface reconstruction utilizing the OC-RFFF. METHODS: Retrospective review of prospective database collected between 2005 and 2014 of midface reconstruction using OC-RFFF in a tertiary care centre. Donor site complications and acute and long-term recipient site complications were measured. Health related quality of life was assessed using the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 68 midface defects were reconstructed using the OC-RFFF. Acute recipient site complications included three flap failures (4%), and two additional microvascular revision cases for vascular compromise. Late recipient complications included fistula (n = 10, 14%), ectropion (n = 7, 10%), diplopia (n = 6, 9%) and exposed hardware (n = 5, 7%). Resection of cheek skin or orbital rim correlated with orbital complications. The incidence of fistula was not affected by defect size or prior radiation. There were two donor site infections and no instances of forearm fracture. Patients undergoing OC-RFFF repair had mean scores for UW-QOL outcomes higher than published rates of obturator quality of life. CONCLUSION: The OC-RFFF is suited to a variety of midface defects and can be combined with hardware to reconstruct the orbital floor. Recipient site complications are common, but donor site morbidity is low and outcomes, including HR-QOL, are acceptable.
BACKGROUND: Maxillectomy defects significantly impair quality of life. Prosthetics can overcome some of these issues, but has limitations. The role of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OC-RFFF) has been established for reconstruction of smaller maxillectomy defects, but its role in larger defects is not well defined. We aim to evaluate outcomes after midface reconstruction utilizing the OC-RFFF. METHODS: Retrospective review of prospective database collected between 2005 and 2014 of midface reconstruction using OC-RFFF in a tertiary care centre. Donor site complications and acute and long-term recipient site complications were measured. Health related quality of life was assessed using the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 68 midface defects were reconstructed using the OC-RFFF. Acute recipient site complications included three flap failures (4%), and two additional microvascular revision cases for vascular compromise. Late recipient complications included fistula (n = 10, 14%), ectropion (n = 7, 10%), diplopia (n = 6, 9%) and exposed hardware (n = 5, 7%). Resection of cheek skin or orbital rim correlated with orbital complications. The incidence of fistula was not affected by defect size or prior radiation. There were two donor site infections and no instances of forearm fracture. Patients undergoing OC-RFFF repair had mean scores for UW-QOL outcomes higher than published rates of obturator quality of life. CONCLUSION: The OC-RFFF is suited to a variety of midface defects and can be combined with hardware to reconstruct the orbital floor. Recipient site complications are common, but donor site morbidity is low and outcomes, including HR-QOL, are acceptable.
Authors: Waqas Tanveer; Angela Ridwan-Pramana; Pedro Molinero-Mourelle; Jan Harm Koolstra; Tymour Forouzanfar Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-03 Impact factor: 3.390