Head and Neck Malignancies in Children.

Since 2000, the incidence of head and neck cancer has dramatically increased. At this time, future studies are needed to further elucidate the factors contributing to rising incidence of head and neck cancer in children. This article provides a treatment framework for the pediatric surgical oncologist who manages cancer in children.

Incidence and Presenting Characteristics of Angiosarcoma in the US, 2001-2020.

Importance: Angiosarcoma is an aggressive vascular malignant neoplasm presenting either as a primary or secondary cancer, often arising after radiotherapy or in the context of preexisting lymphedema. Comprehensive data describing its incidence and presentation patterns are needed. Objective: To describe the incidence, presenting characteristics, and change over time of angiosarcoma in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cross-sectional study used data from the US Cancer Statistics (USCS) National Program of Cancer Registries-Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Combined Database, which captures more than 99% of newly diagnosed cancers in the US. The study included all 19 289 patients in the US with a new diagnosis of angiosarcoma between 2001 and 2020 captured in the USCS database. Statistical analysis was performed from June to September 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incidence of angiosarcoma, demographics of patients with angiosarcoma, and extent of disease at presentation. Results: The study included 19 289 patients (median age, 71 years [IQR, 59-80 years]; 10 506 women [54.5%]) with a new diagnosis of angiosarcoma. The US incidence of angiosarcoma doubled between 2001 (657 cases) and 2019 (1312 cases), reflecting both an increase in the adjusted incidence rate of 1.6% per year (P = .001), to 3.3 cases per 1 000 000 person-years (95% CI, 3.1-3.5 cases per 1 000 000 person-years), and an increase in the population at risk. In 2020, the reported incidence rate (3.0 cases per 1 000 000 person-years) and cases of angiosarcoma (n = 1159) were modestly lower than in 2019. Overall, 72.3% of cases of angiosarcoma (n = 13 955) were cutaneous, subcutaneous, or breast angiosarcomas; 24.4% were visceral (n = 4701); and 3.3% were located in unknown or rare primary sites (n = 633). Secondary breast and chest wall angiosarcomas among women represented the largest contribution to increasing incidence. Among breast angiosarcomas, 99.2% (2684 of 2705) were in women and 71.9% (1944 of 2705) were secondary. A total of 80.4% of chest wall or thorax cases among women (1861 of 2316) were secondary vs 26.5% among men (112 of 422), and 63.9% of upper extremity cases among women (205 of 321) were secondary vs 26.8% (56 of 209) among men (P = .001). Rates of secondary angiosarcoma in the abdomen and lower extremities were similar between men and women. The incidence rate of visceral angiosarcoma was also found to be increasing (1.5% per year; P = .001). Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study describes angiosarcoma presentation patterns and incidence rates in the US over a 20-year period and shows that the number of cases in men and women increased, with the greatest increase among women with secondary angiosarcoma of the chest, breast, and upper extremity. These data increase awareness of a rare but highly morbid disease and highlight the need for improved early detection of angiosarcoma among patients at high risk, such as women with a history of breast cancer.

Combined Pipeline Embolization Device with Endoscopic Endonasal Fascia Lata/Muscle Graft Repair as a Salvage Technique for Treatment of Iatrogenic Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm.

The incidence of internal carotid artery (ICA) injury associated with endoscopic endonasal approaches to the pituitary is less than 1%. While parent vessel sacrifice has historically been the choice of treatment, vessel-preserving endovascular techniques have been reported. Although flow diversion offers endoluminal reconstruction, its major limitation is the delay in obtaining complete occlusion. We describe the use of a combined Pipeline embolization device (PED) with endoscopic endonasal repair using a fascia lata/muscle graft to treat an iatrogenic ICA pseudoaneurysm and report long-term radiographic follow-up. Further investigation into the utility of directed endoscopic endonasal repair of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms initially treated with PED is necessary, especially given the need of post-PED anticoagulation and the rate of permanent neurological deficit after ICA sacrifice.

Extirpative Considerations of Melanoma of the Head and Neck.

The incidence of melanoma is continuing to rise in the United States, and head and neck melanomas account for 25% of all cutaneous melanomas. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline recommendations for surgical margins and sentinel lymph node biopsy in head and neck melanomas are the same as cutaneous melanoma located in other regions, but require special considerations when performing wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and completion lymph node dissection and reconstruction taking into account the location of the melanoma and structures involved in and around the suggested margins.

Pioneers in Modern Craniofacial Surgery: Assessing the Academic Impact of Drs. Joseph Gruss and Paul Manson.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted this study to assess the impact that Drs. Joseph Gruss and Paul Manson have had on craniofacial surgery through their individual contributions and through their trainees. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of fellows trained by either Dr. Gruss or Dr. Manson. Demographic and bibliometric measures were recorded for each fellow. Demographic factors included years since completion of fellowship training, current practice of craniomaxillofacial surgery, academic practice, and academic leadership roles. Bibliometric measures included number of publications, number of citations, and h-index. To adjust for scholarly activity before fellowship training, only contributions published after fellowship training were included. RESULTS: Over a 39-year period, a total of 86 surgeons completed fellowship training with either of the two principal surgeons. The mean time since completion of training was 18.7 ± 11.4 years. Seventy-nine percent of surgeons had active practices in craniomaxillofacial surgery; 54 percent had academic practices. The mean number of publications was 26.4 ± 69.3, the mean number of citations was 582 ± 2406, and the average h-index was 6.7 ± 10.6. Among academic surgeons, the average h-index was 10.7 ± 13.1, 89 percent practiced in North America, 89 percent had active practices in craniomaxillofacial surgery, and nearly 50 percent had achieved a leadership role. CONCLUSIONS: Modern craniofacial reconstruction has evolved from principles used in trauma and correction of congenital differences. The extensive impact that Drs. Paul Manson and Joseph Gruss have had on the field, and plastic surgery at large, is evident through their primary contributions and the immense impact their trainees have had on the field.

Rigid External Le Fort I Distraction Followed by Secondary Bone Grafting for Maxillary Advancements in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate.

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary hypoplasia after cleft lip and palate (CLP) repair can result in significant functional and aesthetic impairments. Le Fort I osteotomy & advancement and Le Fort I distraction osteogenesis are standard treatment options for individuals with CLP-associated midface retrusion. However, both of these modalities continue to be associated with a high relapse rate. This study describes surgical outcomes of a 2-stage technique utilizing distraction osteogenesis combined with bone grafting and rigid fixation, which may optimize skeletal stability by reducing relapse. METHODS: A retrospective review of CLP patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia evaluated by a single surgeon from 2003 to 2014 was performed. Twenty-one subjects were identified that underwent maxillary advancement via a 2-stage technique: (1) Le Fort I external rigid distraction using a HALO device, followed by (2) autologous iliac crest bone graft application and plate-fixation. Post-operative cephalograms were taken on average 1-year following surgery. RESULTS: Twelve subjects met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. A distraction rate of 1 mm/day was achieved with an average of 14 mm of maxillary advancement. Average increase in SNA was +9.03°, with an increase from 71.84° to 80.88° (normal = 82.0°, P value <0.0001), with no significant change in SNB, and a +9.63° change in ANB from -7.76° to 1.88° (normal = 1.6°, P value <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The described 2-step procedure had similar cephalometric improvements as compared to distraction osteogenesis alone. However, successive bone grafting and rigid fixation as a second procedure may help ameliorate relapse risk and optimize the correction of maxillary hypoplasia in susceptible populations.

Malignant maxillofacial bone tumors.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Malignant bone tumors of the head and neck region are rare. Due to the paucity of studies on these tumors, patients with these maxillofacial malignancies can suffer from high morbidity and mortality. RECENT FINDINGS: Currently, mainstay management of these tumors includes wide surgical resection with margins followed by radiotherapy and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. Although much progress has been made over the last few decades regarding the prognosis of many of these tumors, large multicenter trials are needed to better determine their optimal management. SUMMARY: The current review will provide a broad review of the most current epidemiology, pathogenesis, prognosis, and management of the most common bone malignancies of the maxillofacial skeleton.

Pediatric Nasoorbitoethmoid Fractures: Cause, Classification, and Management.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is a paucity of information on the presentation and proper management of pediatric nasoorbitoethmoid fractures. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence, cause, associated injuries, and management of these fractures. Furthermore, the authors sought to assess outcomes after transnasal wiring or suture canthopexy for type III nasoorbitoethmoid fractures. METHODS: A retrospective cohort review was performed of all patients with nasoorbitoethmoid fractures who presented to a Level I trauma center from 1990 to 2010. Charts and computed tomographic imaging were reviewed, and nasoorbitoethmoid fractures were labeled based on the Markowitz-Manson classification system. Patient fracture patterns, demographics, characteristics, and outcomes were recorded. Univariate and multivariate methods were used to compare groups. RESULTS: A total of 63 pediatric patients were identified in the study period. The sample's mean age was 8.78 ± 4.08 years, and 28.6 percent were girls. The sample included 18 type I injuries, 28 type II injuries, and 17 type III injuries. No significant demographic differences were found between patients with type I, II, and III fractures (p > 0.05). Operative intervention was pursued in 16.7, 46.4, and 82.4 percent of type I, II, and III nasoorbitoethmoid fractures, respectively. In patients with type III nasoorbitoethmoid fractures, no patients with transnasal wiring developed telecanthus. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric nasoorbitoethmoid fractures are uncommon injuries. Type I fracture can often be treated with close observation. However, type II and III injury patterns should be evaluated for operative intervention. Transnasal wiring is an effective method to prevent traumatic telecanthus deformity in type III fracture patterns.

The Accuracy of Conflict-of-Interest Disclosures Reported by Plastic Surgeons and Industry.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the frequency and nature of self-reported conflict-of-interest disclosures in the plastic surgery literature and to compare these findings to the Physician Payments Sunshine Act database. METHODS: All articles published from August of 2013 through December of 2013 in four major plastic surgery journals were analyzed. For every publication, the conflict-of-interest disclosure statement for each investigator was reviewed. These statements were then compared to transactions of value for each investigator as reported by biomedical companies in the Sunshine Act database. An analysis was performed to identify and characterize specific factors associated with conflict-of-interest disclosures. RESULTS: A total of 1002 independent investigators/authors were identified. Of these, 90 investigators (9 percent) self-reported a conflict of interest. In contrast, a total of 428 authors (42.7 percent) were found to have received transactions of value from a biomedical company according to the Sunshine Act database. Conversely, a total of 22 authors (2.2 percent) self-reported a conflict of interest but were not found to have received transactions of value in the Sunshine Act database. Our analysis found that (1) academic investigators, (2) transactions of value in excess of $500, and (3) publishing articles related to the sponsoring biomedical company were all statistically associated with reporting conflicts of interest (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Discordance exists between investigator/authors self-reporting in scientific journals and the government-mandated reporting of conflicts of interest by industry. Factors associated with conflict-of-interest disclosure include academic status, transaction amount, and article content related to the sponsoring biomedical company.

Pediatric Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fracture Repair: Location and Number of Fixation Sites in Growing Children.

BACKGROUND: Relatively few reports have been published investigating the operative management of pediatric zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess pediatric zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture management and associated complications, and potentially describe a standard treatment paradigm for these cases. METHODS: A retrospective cohort review was performed of all patients younger than 15 years presenting to a single institution with zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures from 1990 to 2010. Patient demographics, concomitant injuries, management details, and complications were recorded. Complications were compared among patients by dentition stage, number of fixation points, and identity of fixation sites. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients with 44 unique zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures met the authors' inclusion criteria. Thirty-two fractures exhibited at least 2.0 mm of diastasis along at least one buttress (73 percent), and all but one of these were managed operatively. Among operatively managed patients with deciduous dentition, two-point fixation was associated with a lower overall complication rate compared with one- and three-point fixation (0 percent versus 75 percent and 75 percent; p = 0.01). Furthermore, rigid plate-and-screw fixation at the zygomaticomaxillary buttress was not associated with an increased complication rate in operatively managed patients with deciduous dentition (40 percent versus 50 percent; p = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: The authors' results suggest that two-point fixation is an effective management strategy for repair of displaced zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures in children. In addition, rigid plate-and-screw fixation at the zygomaticomaxillary buttress in children with deciduous dentition appears to be safe and effective when performed. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

The effect of frailty on short-term outcomes after head and neck cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between frailty and comorbidity, in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), and costs in head and neck cancer (HNCA) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. METHODS: Discharge data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 159,301 patients who underwent ablative surgery for a malignant oral cavity, laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, or oropharyngeal neoplasm in 2001 to 2010 was analyzed using cross-tabulations and multivariate regression modeling. Frailty was defined based on frailty-defining diagnosis clusters from the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty-defining diagnosis indicator. RESULTS: Frailty was identified in 7.4% of patients and was significantly associated with advanced comorbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5[1.3-1.8]), Medicaid (OR = 1.5[1.3-1.8]), major procedures (OR = 1.6[1.4-1.8]), flap reconstruction (OR = 1.7[1.3-2.1]), high-volume hospitals (OR = 0.7[0.5-1.0]), discharge to a short-term facility (OR = 4.4[2.9-6.7]), or other facility (OR = 5.4[4.5-6.6]). Frailty was a significant predictor of in-hospital death (OR = 1.6[1.1-2.4]), postoperative surgical complications (OR = 2.0[1.7-2.3]), acute medical complications (OR = 3.9[3.2-4.9]), increased LOS (mean, 4.9 days), and increased mean incremental costs ($11,839), and was associated with higher odds of surgical complications and increased costs than advanced comorbidity. There was a significant interaction between frailty and comorbidity for acute medical complications and length of hospitalization, with a synergistic effect on the odds of medical complications and LOS in patients with comorbidity who were also frail. CONCLUSION: Frailty is an independent predictor of postoperative morbidity, mortality, LOS, and costs in HNCA surgery patients, and has a synergistic interaction with comorbidity that is associated with an increased likelihood of medical complications and greater LOS in patients with comorbidity who are also frail. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c. Laryngoscope, 128:102-110, 2018.

Is Article Methodological Quality Associated With Conflicts of Interest?: An Analysis of the Plastic Surgery Literature.

PURPOSE: Conflicts of interest (COI) are an emerging area of discussion within the field of plastic surgery. Recently, several reports have found that research studies that disclose COI are associated with publication of positive outcomes. We hypothesize that this association is driven by higher-quality studies receiving industry funding. This study aimed to investigate the association between industry support and study methodological quality. METHODS: We reviewed all entries in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Annals of Plastic Surgery, and Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery within a 1-year period encompassing 2013. All clinical research articles were analyzed. Studies were evaluated blindly for methodology quality based on a validated scoring system. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to examine the association between methodology score and COI. RESULTS: A total of 1474 articles were reviewed, of which 483 met our inclusion criteria. These articles underwent methodological quality scoring. Conflicts of interest were reported in 28 (5.8%) of these articles. After adjusting for article characteristics in the ordinal logistic regression analysis, there was no significant association between articles with COI and higher methodological scores (P = 0.7636). CONCLUSIONS: Plastic surgery studies that disclose COI are not associated with higher methodological quality when compared with studies that do not disclose COI. These findings suggest that although the presence of COI is associated with positive findings, the association is not shown to be driven by higher-quality studies.

Trends, Frequency, and Nature of Surgeon-Reported Conflicts of Interest in Plastic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify types and trends in industry sponsorship of plastic surgery research since the establishment of conflict-of-interest reporting policies in plastic surgery. METHODS: The authors analyzed the frequency and types of self-reported conflicts of interest in the plastic surgery literature since the adoption of reporting policies in 2007. All original articles that met the authors' inclusion criteria and were published in the following three journals from 2008 to 2013 were included: Annals of Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine what study-specific variables were associated with conflict-of-interest disclosures. RESULTS: A total of 3722 articles were analyzed. The incidence of conflicts of interest increased from 14 percent in 2008 to 24 percent in 2009. However, thereafter, the incidence of conflicts of interest decreased steadily from 21 percent in 2010 to 9 percent in 2013. Furthermore, the authors' analysis revealed that from 2008 to 2013, industry decreased direct research support but steadily increased the rate of consultantships (p < 0.001). A multivariate regression analysis revealed that, after adjusting for potential confounders, self-reported conflicts of interest have decreased since 2008 (p = 0.03) and the prevalence of conflicts of interest differs by plastic surgery subspecialty (p < 0.0001), country of origin (p < 0.0001), and journal of publication (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: If self-reporting of conflicts of interest is assumed to be accurate, the number of surgeon-reported conflicts of interest in plastic surgery declined overall. Although the absolute number of consultantships did not change, the rate of consultantships rather than direct research support increased over this period.

Citation Rate Predictors in the Plastic Surgery Literature.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine and characterize the scientific and nonscientific factors that influence the rate of article citation in the field of plastic surgery. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: We reviewed all entries in Annals of Plastic Surgery and Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007; and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008. All scientific articles were analyzed and several article characteristics were extracted. The number of citations at 5 years was collected as the outcome variable. A multivariable analysis was performed to determine which variables were associated with higher citations rates. RESULTS: A total of 2456 articles were identified of which only 908 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most studies were publications in the fields of reconstructive (26.3%) or pediatric/craniofacial (17.6%) surgery. The median number of citations 5 years from publication was 8. In the multivariable analysis, factors associated with higher citations rates were subspecialty field (p = 0.0003), disclosed conflict of interest (p = 0.04), number of authors (p = 0.04), and journal (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: We have found that higher level of evidence (or other study methodology factors) is not associated with higher citation rates. Instead, conflict of interest, subspecialty topic, journal, and number of authors are strong predictors of high citation rates in plastic surgery.

Low-grade Schwann cell neoplasms with leptomeningeal dissemination: clinicopathologic and autopsy findings.

Leptomeningeal dissemination of low-grade Schwann cell neoplasms is an exceptionally rare occurrence and has not been well documented in the literature. We encountered 2 cases of leptomeningeal dissemination of low-grade Schwann cell neoplasms. Patient 1 was a 63-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 and a progressive low-grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor developing from a diffuse/plexiform orbital neurofibroma that arose in childhood. The neoplasm demonstrated local and leptomeningeal dissemination intracranially leading to the patient's death. There was partial loss of H3K27 tri-methylation, p16 and collagen IV. Patient 2 was a 60-year-old man without neurofibromatosis type 1 who presented with cranial nerve symptoms and a disseminated neoplasm with a Schwann cell phenotype. The neoplasm stabilized after irradiation and chemotherapy, but the patient died of medical complications. Autopsy findings documented disseminated leptomeningeal disease in the intracranial and spinal compartment. H3K27M tri-methylation was preserved. The clinicopathologic and autopsy findings are studied and presented, and the literature is reviewed.

The Impact of Financial Conflicts of Interest in Plastic Surgery: Are They All Created Equal?

BACKGROUND: Recently, several studies have demonstrated that articles that disclose conflicts of interests (COI) are associated with publication of positive results. The purpose of this study was to learn more about the different types of COI as they relate to the general topic of COI in plastic surgery. Specifically, we aimed to examine whether different types of COI are more likely than others to be associated with the presentation of positive findings. METHODS: We reviewed all original articles in Annals of Plastic Surgery, Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013. All scientific articles were analyzed, and several article characteristics were extracted. Disclosed COI were categorized into the following categories: consultant/employee, royalties/stock options, and research support. The findings reported in each article abstract were blindly graded as reporting a positive, negative, neutral, or not applicable result. A multivariable analysis was performed to determine whether an association existed between certain types of COI and publication of positive conclusions. RESULTS: A total of 3124 articles were identified of which 1185 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Financial COI were reported in 153 studies (12.9%). The most common type of COI was "research support" (7.3%), whereas the least common was "royalties/stock options" (1.2%). Rates of different types of COI varied significantly by plastic surgery subspecialty field (P < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, authors who disclosed COI related to research support, consultant/employee, and royalties/stock options were 1.31, 6.62, and 8.72 times more likely, respectively, to publish positive findings when compared with authors that disclosed no COI after correcting for potential confounding factors. However, consultancy/employee status was the only COI category statistically associated with publication of positive results (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported COI are uncommon in plastic surgery research. Our results provide evidence that certain types of financial COI are more likely than others to be associated with the presentation of positive findings. This analysis suggests that certain investigators may be more biased, consciously or unconsciously, by the type of financial benefit offered by industry.

Chest Wall Reconstruction: Evolution Over a Decade and Experience With a Novel Technique for Complex Defects.

BACKGROUND: Chest wall reconstruction (CWR) with biologic matrices has gained popularity over the last decade; however, data on this topic remain sparse. The aim of this study is to review the different methods and materials used for CWR while reviewing and highlighting a novel approach using a biologic inlay and synthetic onlay technique for larger, complex high-risk defects. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent full thickness chest wall resection and reconstruction during a 10-year period. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, operative data, as well as postoperative wound complications and outcomes were reviewed. Different reconstructive methods and materials were reviewed and compared. RESULTS: From December 2003 to January 2014, a total of 81 patients underwent CWR. The indications for resection/reconstruction included oncologic in 49 patients (60.5%), desmoids tumors in 10 (12.3%), bronchopleural fistula in 3 (3.7%), infection in 7 (8.6%), and anatomic deformity in 7 (8.6%) patients. Synthetic and/or acellular dermal matrices (ADM) reconstruction was used in 59 patients (10 biologic, 22 synthetic, and 27 biologic ADM inlay/synthetic onlay combination). On average, 2.5, 3.5, and 3.6 ribs were resected in the biologic, synthetic, and combination group, respectively (P = 0.1). A greater number of patients in the combination group had a history of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (P = 0.03) than the synthetic or biologic alone groups. Risk analysis demonstrated an association between the number of ribs resected and postoperative chest wall complications. The incidence of chest wall/wound complications in the synthetic, combination, and biologic groups was 31.8%, 22.2%, and 10%, respectively (P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: In the largest single institution study comparing the use of different reconstructive materials, including ADM in CWR, the authors demonstrate that a biologic inlay/synthetic onlay may be used effectively for high-risk, large complex defects. Early outcomes with this technique are promising. The authors believe this combination highlights benefits from both materials because the ADM facilitates tissue ingrowth and revascularization, whereas the synthetic component provides structural durability. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to further explore the benefits of the combination technique to determine if outcomes are better than either material alone when used to reconstruct high-risk wounds after larger resections.

Intraoperative Use of Vasopressors Is Safe in Head and Neck Free Tissue Transfer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to identify whether intraoperative use of vasoactive medications increases the risk of free flap failure or complications through a systematic review and meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched for studies published through January 2015. English publications that met the following criteria were included: (1) adult patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction; (2) comparison of patients with and without intraoperative vasopressor administration; and (3) documentation of flap failure rate and/or flap complications. The primary outcome was the incidence of flap failure. The secondary outcome was the incidence of overall flap complications. Meta-analysis was performed to obtain pooled odds ratios (ORs) of the effect of intraoperative use of vasopressors on flap failure and complication rates. RESULTS: Four cohort studies met inclusion criteria. All studies were of high methodological quality with an average Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score of 18.75 (range 16-23). A total of 933 patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference in the incidence of flap failure (2.9 vs. 3.6%; OR, 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-1.99; p = 0.48) or incidence of flap complications (16.8 vs. 18.6%; OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.60-1.42; p = 0.71). CONCLUSION: Based on the current evidence, intraoperative use of vasopressors has no impact on the incidence of flap failure or flap complications.