Background In the current era of reconstructive surgery, microvascular free flap transfers are the most popular reconstructive procedures performed. The main reason for the failure of the flap and re-exploration is venous thrombosis. Traditionally, most surgeons prefer performing two-vein anastomoses. There is insufficient literature to support that dual-venous anastomosis is better than single-venous anastomosis. In this study, we compared the success rate of single-venous anastomosis with dual-venous anastomosis of different free flap reconstructions. Methodology The retrospective cohort study was conducted with a total of 101 patients. Eighty-three were in the one-vein group, and the remaining 18 were in the two-vein group. Outcomes were compared between the two groups regarding re-exploration and flap failure. Results The overall success rate of free flap reconstruction was 96%. Among the 101 free flaps, 16 flaps had signs of venous compromise and were re-explored. Out of the 16 flaps, 11 flaps (13.2%) were in the one-vein group, and 5 flaps (27.7%) were in the two-vein group. In the two-vein group, 100% of the flaps were salvaged, and in the one-vein group, only 63% of the flaps were salvaged after re-exploration. There was no statistically significant difference between the one-vein group and the two-vein group concerning re-exploration.  Conclusions The rate of re-exploration was lower in the one-vein group when compared to the two-vein group. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Hence, a single-vein anastomosis is sufficient for a successful microvascular free flap. However, the rate of flap salvage is better with two-vein anastomosis if there is venous congestion.

BACKGROUND: Of all body regions, lower extremity wounds have been and remain the greatest challenge. Free flaps have been accepted as a reasonable option to solve this dilemma, but they require the complexity of microsurgery. This study aimed to compare the postoperative and clinical outcomes of propeller flap and fasciocutaneous free flap in the reconstruction of complex lower limb defects.
METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted from July 2021 to June 2023. Selected patients were randomized into two groups: the propeller flap group and fasciocutaneous free flap group. Demographic data, preoperative parameters, and postoperative parameter, including esthetic analysis, scar assessment, neurosensory analysis, psychosocial analysis, and lower extremity function, were estimated and statistically significant compared between the two study groups.
RESULTS: Road traffic accident (73.3%) was the most common etiology for lower limb defects in both groups. The foot and lower third of the leg were the most common site of defect, constituting 79.99%. The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in propeller flap as compared to fasciocutaneous free flaps. Flap size was smaller, with better neurosensory improvements in propeller flap group. Esthetic analysis, scar assessment, psychosocial analysis, and lower extremity functional analysis yielded similar results in both study groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Propeller flap has better outcomes compared to free flap in terms of smaller size of flap, shorter duration of surgery, and reduced length of hospital stay. Comparable results were obtained with respect to esthetic score, scar assessment score, psychosocial analysis, and neurosensory recovery and lower extremity functional score.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of perforator-based propeller flaps (PPF) versus free flaps (FF) in traumatic lower leg and foot reconstructions are debated. PPFs are perceived as simpler due to advantages like avoiding microsurgery, but concerns about complications, such as flap congestion and necrosis, persist. This study aimed to compare outcomes of PPF and FF in trauma-related distal lower extremity soft tissue reconstruction.
METHODS: We retrospectively studied 38 flaps in 33 patients who underwent lower leg and foot soft tissue reconstruction due to trauma at our hospital from 2015 until 2022. Flap-related outcomes and complications were compared between the PPF group (18 flaps in 15 patients) and the FF group (20 flaps in 18 patients). These included complete and partial flap necrosis, venous congestion, delayed osteomyelitis, and the coverage failure rate, defined as the need for secondary flaps due to flap necrosis.
RESULTS: The coverage failure rate was 22% in the PPF group and 5% in the FF group, with complete necrosis observed in 11% of the PPF group and 5% of the FF group, and partial necrosis in 39% of the PPF group and 10% of the FF group, indicating no significant difference between the two groups. However, venous congestion was significantly higher in 72% of the PPF group compared to 10% of the FF group. Four PPFs and one FF required FF reconstruction due to implant/fracture exposure from necrosis. Additionally, four PPFs developed delayed osteomyelitis post-healing, requiring reconstruction using free vascularized bone graft in three out of four cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Flap necrosis in traumatic lower-leg defects can lead to reconstructive failure, exposing implants or fractures and potentially causing catastrophic outcomes like osteomyelitis, jeopardizing limb salvage. Surgeons should be cautious about deeming PPFs as straightforward and microsurgery-free procedures, given the increased complication rates compared to FFs in traumatic reconstruction.
UNASSIGNED: The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

BACKGROUND: The goal of lower-extremity reconstructions is primarily to salvage the leg; however, esthetic outcomes are also important. This study aimed to assess the impact of a lower extremity free tissue transfer regarding social functioning, patient-reported esthetic outcomes, and possible differences between fasciocutaneous vs. muscle flaps.
METHODS: For this cross-sectional multicenter study, patients operated between 2003 and 2021, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months, were identified. Outcomes were obtained from 89 patients. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using a questionnaire containing 5-point Likert scale questions grouped in three groups: aspect of the reconstructed leg, the aspect of the donor site, and the negative impact on social functioning. Physical functioning and mental health were assessed with the Short-Form-36.
RESULTS: The overall score for negative impact on social functioning was 22.2. This was 46.7 for the esthetic satisfaction of the reconstructed leg and 57.1 for the donor site. No significant differences were seen between patients who underwent a reconstruction with a fasciocutaneous flap compared to a muscle flap. Secondary surgical procedures for improving the esthetic aspect were performed in 12% of the patients in the fasciocutaneous group and 0% in the muscle group.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the most optimal esthetic outcome is not defined by the type of flap. We found a strong correlation between physical functioning and the negative impact on social functioning that a reconstructed lower extremity may have. The result of this study can be taken into consideration during the shared decision-making process of choosing the most optimal reconstruction.

This study aimed to compare the functional and esthetic results in patients following mandibular reconstruction with a free fibula flap (FFF) by virtual surgical planning (VSP) versus the conventional technique. Patients who had undergone mandibular reconstruction with a FFF by VSP or the conventional technique were retrospectively assessed. The two groups were compared regarding functional and esthetic variables with appropriate scales preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. Twenty-four patients were evaluated in two groups: conventional (n = 8) and VSP (n = 16). The mean amount of mandibular asymmetry was 2.62 mm (SD = 1.59) in the conventional group and 1.19 mm (SD = 1.32) in the VSP group. Of the patients who underwent conventional surgery, 12.5% had mandibular asymmetry of <2 mm and 87.5% had asymmetry of 2-5 mm. Of the VSP patients, 61.5% had mandibular asymmetry of <2 mm and 38.5% had mandibular asymmetry of 2-5 mm (p = 0.03). The mean difference in size of mandibular angle on the surgical and control sides was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.62). The difference in mean length of the mandibular body on the surgical side relative to the control side was not significant between the two groups (p = 0.75). Differences in functional variables between the two groups were not significant. Within the limitation of the study, it seems that the VSP technique resulted in better facial symmetry and superior esthetic outcomes compared with the conventional technique.

BACKGROUND: The application of end-to-side (ETS) anastomosis for flap transfer poses challenges, particularly in cases of significant size discrepancy between the donor and flap arteries. Herein, a novel ETS anastomosis technique, termed \"sucker-like ETS anastomosis\", is developed to mitigate and rectify such vessel discrepancies. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of this technique in tissue defect reconstruction through free flap transfer.
METHODS: Between September 2018 and March 2023, the medical records and follow-up data of 78 patients who underwent free flap transfer using sucker-like ETS anastomosis for significant artery size discrepancies were collected and retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS: Among the 78 cases that received free flap transfer, the range of artery size discrepancy (flap artery vs donor artery) was 1:1.6-1:4 (mean: 1:2.5). Following anastomosis with the sucker-like ETS technique, 75 cases achieved flap survival without requiring additional surgical intervention, yielding a one-stage success rate of 96.2%. Three cases experienced post-operative venous crises, with two cases surviving after vein exploration and one case undergoing flap necrosis, necessitating a secondary skin graft. Seven cases faced delayed wound healing but eventually achieved complete healing following dressing changes. No arterial crisis was observed during hospitalization. With an average follow-up of 13 months, the surviving flaps exhibited excellent vitality without flap necrosis or pigment deposition. Overall, the application of sucker-like ETS arterial anastomosis for flap transfer resulted in a high overall surgical success rate of 98.7% (77/78).
CONCLUSIONS: The application of sucker-like ETS anastomosis for free flap transfer is highly effective, particularly in cases with significant size discrepancy between the recipient and donor arteries.

The study purpose is to review the surgical approach and evaluate the results in managing patients with advanced midface and maxillary complex tumors. The most common anatomical site of the primary tumor was the maxilla, sometimes with extension to the orbit and anterior fossa, parotid and middle ear or even the lip. Surgical resection included maxillectomy in the majority of cases, combined with orbital exenteration or orbitectomy and anterior fossa resection. Parotidectomy and mastoidectomy/core petrosectomy were also performed. Reconstruction was performed with radial forearm osteocutaneous free flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap with scapular bone flap, lengthening temporalis myoplasty, rectus abdominis free flap, anterolateral thigh flap, in combination with temporalis and vastus lateralis, as well as pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. A total of 36 midface tumor excisions were performed, followed by the appropriate reconstruction. The average follow-up period was 15 years. To date, 23 patients are disease free, while 6 patients presented disease recurrence and 7 patients died during the 15-year follow-up period. Surgical resection remains the gold standard for midface tumors management. When safely performed, combined with microvascular and dynamic face reconstruction, surgery can offer improvement in quality of life and prolong the overall survival.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of utilizing the internal jugular vein (IJV) as the primary recipient site for venous anastomoses in head and neck oncological reconstruction. Patients who underwent a free flap reconstruction of the head and neck were retrospectively included. Venous anastomoses were preferentially performed less than 1 cm from the IJV, either end-to-side (EtS) on the IJV, or end-to-end (EtE) on the origin of the thyrolingofacial venous (TLF) trunk. When the pedicle length was insufficient to reach the IJV, anastomoses were performed EtE to a size-matched cervical vein. Of the 246 venous anastomoses, 216 (87.8%) were performed less than 1 cm from the IJV, including 150 EtS on the IJV (61.0%), and 66 EtE on the TLF trunk (26.8%). Thirty veins (12.1%) were anastomosed EtE on other cervical veins more than 1 cm from the IJV. Two venous thromboses occurred (0.9%) and were successfully managed after revision surgery. There was no evidence of an increased thrombosis rate in high-risk or pre-irradiated patients. These findings suggest that the internal jugular vein is safe and reliable as a first-choice recipient vessel for free flap transfers in head and neck oncological reconstruction.

(1) Background: The current landscape of midface reconstruction is marked by ongoing evolution, with notable advancements in surgical techniques, microvascular procedures, and the implementation of multidisciplinary approaches, all of which have significantly enhanced both functional and aesthetic outcomes. Conventionally, microvascular anastomoses for free flaps in midfacial reconstruction have been executed using cervical vessels. However, this approach necessitates neck access, resulting in extraoral scars and a substantial pedicle length. In light of these considerations, using intraoral anastomoses via the facial vessels emerges as a promising alternative. This retrospective multicentric study aims to provide a comprehensive account of immediate midface reconstruction through intraoral anastomoses. (2) Methods: Between 2020 and 2023, patients were included who underwent intraoral resection of midface/orbit segments (Brown Classes I-VI) as a result of malignant diseases. In all cases, immediate reconstruction was accomplished by utilizing the facial vessels through an intraoral approach. Outcome criteria were identification of vessels, parotid duct or facial nerve damage, success of vascular anastomoses, and flap survival. (3) Results: A total of 117 patients with 132 flaps (91 osseous and 41 cutaneous) were included. The intraoral preparation of facial vessels was successfully completed in less than 1 h, and no complications related to the dissection or anastomoses were observed. In two cases, the vessel diameter was insufficient to facilitate anastomoses, necessitating adopting an extraoral approach. During a follow-up period of 48 months, two osseous flaps were lost, accounting for a 1.5% loss rate out of 132 flaps used. Additionally, 3 flaps experienced partial loss, including a skin island of a scapula, the border zone of a femur, and a rectus flap, resulting in a 2.3% partial loss rate out of 130 flaps utilized. (4) Conclusions: This case series underscores the feasibility of employing intraoral anastomoses for immediate complex midface reconstruction following oncological resection. This approach is particularly advantageous for flaps with shorter pedicles, as it helps mitigate external scarring and minimizes the risk of facial nerve injury.

Intraoperative hypotension and liberal fluid haemodynamic therapy are associated with postoperative medical and surgical complications in maxillofacial free flap surgery. The novel haemodynamic parameter hypotension prediction index (HPI) has shown good performance in predicting hypotension by analysing arterial pressure waveform in various types of surgery. HPI-based haemodynamic protocols were able to reduce the duration and depth of hypotension. We will try to determine whether haemodynamic therapy based on HPI can improve postoperative flap perfusion and tissue oxygenation by improving intraoperative mean arterial pressure and reducing fluid infusion.
We present here a study protocol for a single centre, randomized, controlled trial (n = 42) in maxillofacial patients undergoing free flap surgery. Patients will be randomized into an intervention or a control group. In the intervention, group haemodynamic optimization will be guided by machine learning algorithm and functional haemodynamic parameters presented by the HemoSphere platform (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA), most importantly, HPI. Tissue oxygen saturation of the free flap will be monitored noninvasively by near-infrared spectroscopy during the first 24 h postoperatively. The primary outcome will be the average value of tissue oxygen saturation in the first 24 h postoperatively.