UNASSIGNED: Patients with head and neck cancer often necessitate complex reconstructions, considering both functional and esthetic concerns. Reconstructions are further complicated by previous radiation therapy and patient co-morbidities, which impair wound healing. A recently introduced synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix has been shown to provide durable wound coverage and promote tissue healing as an alternative to traditional biologic allogenic and xenogenic skin substitutes.
UNASSIGNED: Thirteen patients were treated at a single academic hospital between December 1, 2021, and May 1, 2023 with the synthetic matrix in head and neck reconstructions. Reconstructions included exposed muscle, scalp wounds, intra-oral defects, and radial forearm free flap donor sites. Wound sizes ranged from 2 × 2 cm to 18 × 10 cm. Serial photographs were taken to evaluate wound healing at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks timepoints after application. Outcomes measured at each timepoint included wound size, presence of granulation tissue, and extent of epithelialization. No hematomas or wound complications were encountered. Complete wound healing was noted between 6 and 12 weeks, dependent on wound size. The synthetic matrix significantly promoted wound healing via early granulation tissue formation and epithelialization, or mucosalization, in all head and neck applications. Scar formation and contracture were acceptable in all cases.
UNASSIGNED: The use of synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix promotes wound healing and avoids patient morbidity associated with traditional allogenic and biogenic treatments, such as split-thickness skin grafts. This synthetic matrix has been demonstrated to be a valuable asset in the head and neck reconstructive armamentarium.

BACKGROUND: Total or subtotal glossectomy defects cause significant functional deficits in swallowing and speech and subsequently impair patients\' quality of life (QOL). Recently, the profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap has emerged as a potential alternative for reconstructing extensive glossectomy defects. While previous studies assessing recovery of neurotized anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps in head and neck reconstruction reported superior sensory recovery, improved swallow function, and improved overall patient satisfaction in patients with neurotized flaps vs. non-neurotized ALT flap reconstruction, PAP flap neurotization has not been described and systematically assessed in head and neck patients.
METHODS: Six patients underwent subtotal tongue reconstruction with neurotized PAP flaps at the authors\' institution from May 2022 until August 2023. A branch of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve of the PAP flap was coaptated to the lingual nerve. Two-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, pain, and temperature assessments were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively on the neo-tongue. The MD Anderson speech and deglutition scales and the EORTC-QLQ-H&N35 were used to record functional outcomes and QOL.
RESULTS: The mean age was 69 ± 4 years, and the mean body mass index was 25 ± 7 kg/m2. Neo-tongue median 2-point discrimination at the tip improved from >10 mm at 3 months to 6 mm at 12 months. All patients had protective pain and temperature perception at the neo-tongue tip at the 6-month follow-up. Speech and swallowing functions were similar at the 12-month follow-up to data on neurotized ALT flaps from literature. No neuropathic pain was reported at the donor site at the 6-month follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case series of PAP flap neurotization in head and neck patients, suggesting potential functional advantages with minimal donor-site morbidity.
METHODS: V Case Series.

Giant congenital nevi, especially on the head and neck, pose a challenge for plastic surgeons. This requires extensive experience in detailed planning, combining different techniques, and selecting appropriate materials for reconstruction. There have been reports of using a tissue expander, serial resection method, and full-thickness skin grafts for this type of nevus. However, the best way to completely remove a giant congenital nevus is endless. In this article, we would like to present a case of a left hemifacial giant congenital nevus in which we used multiple tissue expansion to fully replace the nevus, along with some of our modification techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The Lateral Arm Free Flap (LAFF) offers advantageous features like variable thickness and minimal hair growth. LAFF is primarily used in orofacial and pharyngeal reconstructions, with limited reports on tracheal/esophageal applications. Also, the psychological prognosis and quality of life in patients with LAFF reconstruction are lacking.
METHODS: This retrospective case series presents outcomes of LAFF reconstruction for head and neck surgical defects which included 19 patients. The disease type, location of reconstruction, TNM staging, tumor size, chemoradiation status, anxiety, depression, quality of life and detailed perioperative information of the LAFF reconstruction surgery were presented in a descriptive pattern. Subgroup analysis was conducted using Mann-Whitney U and Pearson r test.
RESULTS: All 19 patients (100%) had a viable flap after surgery with 5 (26.3%) of them developed flap-related complication. Patients with oropharyngeal reconstruction were more likely to have lower anxiety and depression score and higher quality of life than those with below-oropharyngeal reconstruction. However, no significant p-value was generated in any subgroup comparison or correlation test. And the application of LAFF in esophageal and tracheal reconstruction was proved to be successful.
CONCLUSIONS: The lateral arm free flap exhibits remarkable versatility and multifunctionality, providing advantageous outcomes in head and neck reconstruction.
METHODS: Level 4 according to OCEBM.

BACKGROUND: Persistent complex defects and dysfunctions of the upper aerodigestive tract after tumor surgery represent a major challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary approach using the free anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) as a reconstruction option in the upper aerodigestive tract.
METHODS: The retrospective study identified 5 patients with complex defects after laryngectomy/pharyngolaryngectomy (LE/PLE) and multiple revision surgeries between 2017 and 2023. The operations were performed by an interdisciplinary team from otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and visceral/thoracic surgery. The results of the microsurgical reconstruction were analyzed.
RESULTS: There was an average of six previous operations. The defects included tracheoesophageal fistulas, pharyngocutaneous fistulas, neopharyngeal stenosis, and combinations thereof. Successful reconstruction was achieved in 100% of patients using the ALT flap. In 2 patients, ALT flow-through flaps were used with an additional free jejunal interposition (JI) and in 3 patients split-ALT flaps were used. The major complication rate was 40% and the minor complication rate was 20%.
CONCLUSIONS: Complex defects of the upper aerodigestive tract with multiple previous operations can be successfully reconstructed. Because of its versatility, the ALT flap seems to be a very good option. Prerequisite for this is an interdisciplinary treatment approach with a critical assessment of patient- and disease-specific factors.
UNASSIGNED: HINTERGRUND: Persistierende komplexe Defekte und Funktionsstörungen des oberen Aerodigestivtrakts nach tumorchirurgischen Eingriffen stellen eine große Herausforderung dar. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Wirksamkeit eines interdisziplinären Ansatzes mit der freien lateralen Oberschenkellappenplastik (ALT) als Rekonstruktionsoption im oberen Aerodigestivtrakt zu evaluieren.
METHODS: Die retrospektive Studie identifizierte zwischen 2017 und 2023 5 Patient*innen mit komplexen Defekten nach Laryngektomie (LE) und multiplen Revisionsoperationen. Die Operationen erfolgten durch ein interdisziplinäres Team aus HNO, Plastischer Chirurgie und Viszeral‑/Thoraxchirurgie. Die Ergebnisse der mikrochirurgischen Rekonstruktion wurden erfasst.
UNASSIGNED: Es lagen durchschnittlich 6 Voroperationen vor. Die Defekte umfassten tracheoösophageale Fisteln, pharyngokutane Fisteln, Neopharynxstenosen sowie deren Kombination. Eine erfolgreiche Rekonstruktion konnte in 100 % der Fälle durch den ALT-Lappen erreicht werden. In zwei Fällen wurden ALT-Durchflusslappen mit einem zusätzlichen Jejunuminterponat (JI) und in drei Fällen ein Split-ALT-Lappen durchgeführt. Die Major-Komplikationsrate lag bei 40 % und die Minor-Komplikationsrate bei 20 %.
UNASSIGNED: Komplexe Defekte des oberen Aerodigestivtrakts mit multiplen Voroperationen können erfolgreich rekonstruiert werden. Aufgrund seiner Vielseitigkeit scheint der ALT-Lappen eine sehr gute Option zu sein. Voraussetzung hierfür ist ein interdisziplinärer Behandlungsansatz mit einer kritischen Abwägung der patienten- und krankheitsspezifischen Faktoren.

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is considered a workhorse for head and neck cancer reconstructive surgery due to its generally consistent anatomy, pliability, long pedicle, and accessible harvest location.
A 63-year-old male with trisomy 21 and recurrent midface basal cell carcinoma presented for surgical management. The patient underwent tumor resection including left infrastructure maxillectomy with ipsilateral rhinectomy. Preoperative Allen\'s test was normal; however, the planned osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap reconstruction was aborted intraoperatively due to aberrant vascular anatomy in the form of a diminutive radial artery branch. Reconstruction was instead performed with an anterolateral thigh free flap.
The patient recovered well in the hospital and was subsequently discharged to his care facility.
Radial artery anomalies may be present among trisomy 21 patients making reconstruction with a RFFF not feasible, and thus preoperative Doppler ultrasound to assess arterial anatomy is essential in this population.

We examined whether there were any differences in perioperative complications between patients who mobilized on the first postoperative day (early mobilization) and those who mobilized on the second postoperative day after head and neck reconstruction using free tissue transfer.
In the control group (n = 74), patients were instructed to mobilize on the second postoperative day (April 2019-March 2020), while in the early mobilization group (n = 101), patients were instructed to mobilize on the first postoperative day (April 2020-March 2021). Mobilization was defined as maintaining a standing position or walking. Clinical data were collected from medical records and retrospectively analyzed.
There were no significant differences in clinical background factors, with the exception of intraoperative blood loss volume. The proportion of patients who successfully mobilized on the day of instruction was significantly lower in the early mobilization group (89.1% vs. 98.7%). One case of total flap loss and four cases of partial flap loss occurred in the control group, and three cases of partial flap loss occurred in the early mobilization group. There was no significant difference in partial or total flap loss between the two groups. There were no significant differences in other perioperative complications (wound infection, postoperative bleeding, and delirium) between the two groups. The median postoperative hospital stay was 24.5 and 25.0 days in the control and early mobilization groups, respectively.
In this study, early mobilization on the first day after head and neck free flap reconstruction was safe and feasible.

UNASSIGNED: The submental island flap is a dependable workhorse in head and neck reconstruction. However, the viability of this flap has not been established for oral cavity reconstruction when a contralateral neck dissection has already been performed in an earlier surgical setting. The aim of this study is to highlight technical considerations and outcomes of this approach with a small case series.
UNASSIGNED: Three cases of oral cavity reconstruction with a submental island flap elevated in the context of a prior contralateral neck dissection are presented.
UNASSIGNED: In all cases, a doppler was used to identify the maintenance of the submental perforator in the neck opposite the previous neck dissection. In 2 cases, level IA was included within the dissection field of the previous neck dissection. Additionally, the old neck scar was included within the skin paddle of the submental island flap in 2 cases. In all cases, excellent healing of the flap was observed without partial or complete loss.
UNASSIGNED: The submental island flap appears to be a reliable reconstruction when a previous contralateral neck dissection has been performed, even when level IA was included in the prior dissection.

BACKGROUND: Heterotopic ossification of a vascular pedicle is an uncommon, but established, phenomenon occasionally seen incidentally on post-operative imaging after fibular free flap reconstruction. Symptomatic cases of pedicle ossification, however, are much rarer, with very few cases requiring operative intervention. We present the largest case of pedicle ossification recorded to date, review the literature on symptomatic pedicle ossification, and describe our experience with the surgical management and outcomes of this complication in symptomatic patients.
METHODS: A 60-year-old man with a 7 cm neck mass and neck pain presents six months after fibular free flap reconstruction of an osteonecrotic mandible. CT demonstrates heterotopic ossification of the free flap vascular pedicle. The patient underwent surgical resection of the ossification with preservation of the pedicle and had an uncomplicated post-operative course with resolution of symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: While pedicle ossification following fibula free flap surgery appears to be a somewhat common occurrence in the literature, clinically significant and symptomatic cases are rare. Symptomatic pedicle ossification may require secondary surgical intervention if large, painful, or disfiguring. Although there are surgical techniques described which may decrease the incidence of postoperative ossification, the rarity of symptomatic cases may not justify the additional surgical risks created by subperiosteal dissection.
CONCLUSIONS: Here, we present what appears to be the largest case of pedicle ossification in the literature. We believe this case may aid in the understanding of pedicle ossification and contribute towards a standard treatment protocol in the prevention and treatment of clinically relevant pedicle ossification.

Microvascular reconstruction in the head and neck has enabled the transfer of large amounts of tissue, and has improved functional and cosmetic outcomes for patients. Its success is primarily dependent on adequate perfusion, and though many methods have been used to monitor the circulation of flaps, the Cook-Swartz implantable Doppler has gained favour with surgeons and nursing staff. We present the unusual case of a patient who had developed recurrent infection and pain that was associated with its use.