Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer across the world. Despite a general reduction in tobacco consumption and therefore reduction in risk exposure there has been an increasing incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Progress made in the past decades in free tissue transfer reconstruction and robotic surgery have merged into transoral robotic reconstruction with free perforator flaps for head and neck. We reviewed and discussed indications and contraindications for this type of procedure, as well as potential limits refinements.

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap has become a workhorse for head and neck reconstruction. This paper offers a thorough introduction to the ALT flap, covering its anatomy, surgical technique, adaptable designs, and use in a range of clinical settings along with case studies. With its long vascular pedicle and tissue versatility, the ALT flap is well-suited for matching varied defects. Still, understanding possible anatomic variances and managing complications are critical to its success. With this paper as a comprehensive guidance, surgeons can apply the ALT flap for difficult head and neck reconstructions and achieve the best possible results.

This article illustrates the use of locoregional perforator and pedicled flaps from the 2 main vascular systems of the head and neck area. The 2 authors combine their experiences and research findings to highlight clinical scenarios for these useful refined reconstructions and discuss their pros and cons.

Background  Oral malignancy that presents at a locally advanced stage needs complex surgical resections in which the maxillary cavity is usually left open. The constant maxillary secretions lead to problems like poor healing, fistula formation, and flap necrosis, causing longer hospital stays, delayed adjuvant therapy, and additional surgeries. Several methods have been tried to ameliorate this, each faced with its own difficulties. This study describes the use of chimeric free anterolateral thigh (ALT) with vastus lateralis (VL) muscle to tackle this problem. Materials and Methods  With the aim to assess the advantage of reconstruction of maxillo-alveolar resections using chimeric ALT + VL, we analyzed data from 20 cases reconstructed with chimeric free ALT + VL over a year. We compared them with twenty matched controls reconstructed with standard ALT. Analysis was done with respect to intraoperative ease, adequacy of maxillary sinus fill, postoperative secretions, length of hospital stay, duration to adjuvant therapy, and postoperative complications tabulated using the modified Clavien-Dindo classification. Results  It was found that chimeric ALT + VL gave greater freedom of movement to plug the maxillary cavity easily. The chimeric arm patients had fewer complications and a shorter mean hospital stay. Most of them received adjuvant therapy within their optimal time window. Conclusion  Chimeric ALT with vastus lateralis muscle is a reliable option for reconstructing complex defects, especially with dead space cavities like the maxillary sinus. Effective plugging of the maxillary sinus during the primary surgery results in better patient outcomes and must be done routinely.

UNASSIGNED: Use of the supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) in head and neck reconstruction has increased in recent years. Limited but improving experience among reconstructive surgeons with the procedure have exposed numerous issues associated with flap success. The objective of this study is to examine the role of flap size on viability.
UNASSIGNED: Retrospective case series.
UNASSIGNED: Tertiary Academic Medical Center.
UNASSIGNED: Review of patients undergoing SCAIF reconstruction between January 2014 and March 2022 was performed. Flap failure was defined as >50% skin paddle loss. The total flap surface area was examined. Multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the association of other variables associated with flap failure.
UNASSIGNED: Eighty-nine supraclavicular island flaps were reviewed. Mean patient age was 63.2 ± 11.4 years. Fifty-five (61.2%) were male. Forty-five flaps (50.6%) were used for the reconstruction of defects of the skin of the neck/face. Twenty-nine flaps (32.6%) were utilized for defects of the pharynx/oropharynx, and 15 (16.9%) were utilized for oral cavity defects. Flap success rate was 94% (73/89). Flap site was not associated with flap failure (P = .46). Flaps >25 cm2 were 75% more likely to be successful. Multivariable logistic regression to assess the association of flap size in the context of other co-morbidities indicated flaps >25 cm2 were 3.6 times more likely to succeed regardless of co-morbidities, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a 7-fold risk of flap failure (odds ratio: 7.3, 1.72-30.98, P = .007).
UNASSIGNED: An association with improved flap outcomes and larger skin paddles was observed in this series. The applicability of these observations to smaller flaps and larger series with more surgeons requires further study. Co-morbidities, particularly, COPD, continue to impact flap outcomes.

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: Free flap (FF) reconstruction of traumatic injuries to the head and neck is uncommon.
METHODS: Multi-institutional retrospective case series of patients undergoing FF reconstruction for a traumatic injury (n = 103).
RESULTS: Majority were gunshot wounds (GSW; 85%, n = 88) and motor vehicle accidents (11%, n = 11). Majority underwent osseous reconstruction (82%, n = 84). FF failures (9%, n = 9/103) occurred in GSW patients (100%, n = 9/9) and when multiple subsites were injured (89%, n = 8/9). Preoperative antibiotics correlated with lower rates of a neck washouts (4% vs. 19%) (p = 0.01) and 30-day readmissions (4% vs. 17%) (p = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: All FF failures occurred in the setting of a GSW and the majority involved multiple subsites. Preoperative antibiotics correlated with lower rates of postoperative washout procedures and 30-day readmission.

暂无摘要。

OBJECTIVE: To compare the postoperative complications of the fibular free flap (FFF), scapula free flap (SFF), and osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) following osseous reconstruction in the head and neck.
METHODS: PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane.
METHODS: A literature search and systematic review were performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted using a random effects model to compare operative time and postoperative complications.
RESULTS: The systematic review identified 26 studies comparing at least 1 variable of interest. The odds ratio estimates favored reduced rates of flap failure with the OCRFFF when compared to FFF (0.7, confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-1.11, P < .001), while FFF and SFF were similar. The mean difference estimates for operative time significantly favored FFF over SFF (-51.04 minutes, CI: -92.73 to -9.35, P = .016) and OCRFFF over FFF (66.77 minutes, CI: 52.74-80.8, P < .001). The FFF was more prone to hardware exposure, longer hospital stays, and donor site complications. Recipient wound complications and fistula rates were similar for all flap types.
CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the clinical context, the OCRFFF, FFF, and SFF are all robust options for reconstruction in the head and neck. The OCRFFF is associated with a reduced rate of flap failure and shorter operative times. The SFF requires longer operative times, although significant variation was observed between institutions. The FFF has broad reconstructive indications but is associated with more perioperative and long-term complications.

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.