BACKGROUND: The purpose of this clinical review was to assess the feasibility of reconstructing complex head and neck defects with 2 or more free flaps simultaneously. METHODS: A total of 38 articles were reviewed. The patient population included those who received 2 or more free flaps or a single free flap plus a locoregional flap. The primary outcome assessed was rate of complications. RESULTS: Among double flaps, the minor complication rate was 6.96% and the major complication rate was 20.0%. In comparison, the free flap plus locoregional flap group had higher rates of minor and major complications of 30.4% and 29.5%, respectively. The median operating time was 660 minutes for double flaps and 602 minutes for free flap plus locoregional flap (P = .828). CONCLUSION: Compared to the single free flap plus locoregional flap, double free flaps are relatively reliable without increasing surgical complications or decreasing flap survival, while only modestly increasing operating times.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this clinical review was to assess the feasibility of reconstructing complex head and neck defects with 2 or more free flaps simultaneously. METHODS: A total of 38 articles were reviewed. The patient population included those who received 2 or more free flaps or a single free flap plus a locoregional flap. The primary outcome assessed was rate of complications. RESULTS: Among double flaps, the minor complication rate was 6.96% and the major complication rate was 20.0%. In comparison, the free flap plus locoregional flap group had higher rates of minor and major complications of 30.4% and 29.5%, respectively. The median operating time was 660 minutes for double flaps and 602 minutes for free flap plus locoregional flap (P = .828). CONCLUSION: Compared to the single free flap plus locoregional flap, double free flaps are relatively reliable without increasing surgical complications or decreasing flap survival, while only modestly increasing operating times.
Authors: Mitchell L Worley; Travis M Patterson; Evan M Graboyes; Yongren Wu; Robert M Brody; Joshua Hornig; Zeke Walton Journal: JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2018-09-01 Impact factor: 6.223
Authors: Mohammad Ali Alessa; Sang Hyun Kwak; Young Woo Lee; Mi-Lan Kang; Hak-Joon Sung; Soon Hyun Ahn; Eun Chang Choi; Won Shik Kim Journal: J Vis Exp Date: 2018-09-29 Impact factor: 1.355