The maxillary artery as a recipient vessel option for complex midface and anterior skull base microsurgical repair: A cadaveric study.

INTRODUCTION: Variations in the operative situation for complex head and neck defect reconstructions resulting from mechanisms such as trauma, oncologic resection, and prior radiation exposure can result in situations of a vessel-depleted neck. This requires an awareness of alternate, innovative options for use in reconstructive repairs. The purpose of this study was to provide characterization of the third segment of the maxillary artery necessary to consider its use as a recipient vessel in free flap repair of complex midface defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen cadaver hemifaces were used for anatomic demonstration of the maxillary artery third segment by a transmaxillary approach to obtain descriptive measures for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The average artery intraluminal cross-section diameter was obtained for the sphenopalatine (1.39 ± 0.12 mm) descending palatine (0.94 ± 0.10 mm), and terminal maxillary (1.68 ± 0.17 mm) arterial vessels. The mean transmaxillary depth with was (43 ± 1.2 mm). Mean mobilizable lengths for sphenopalatine, descending palatine, and terminal maxillary arteries were (30 ± 2 mm), (29 ± 2 mm), and (20 ± 2 mm), accordingly. Vessel patterns were characterized using Morton and Kahn classification for sphenopalatine-descending palatine bifurcation as well as the Kwak classification for maxillary artery third segment morphology. CONCLUSIONS: In situations where primary recipient vessel sites are unavailable, the maxillary artery represents an innovative option to be considered with suitable recipient artery characteristics.

Mandibulectomy and free flap reconstruction for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws.

IMPORTANCE: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws is an increasingly recognized complication of intravenous and oral bisphosphonate therapy. Our experience suggests that mandibulectomy and free flap reconstruction is an effective treatment for patients with stage 3 and recalcitrant stage 2 disease. OBJECTIVE: To analyze indications for segmental mandibulectomy and microvascular free flap reconstruction for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws and surgical outcomes following this procedure. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In a multi-institutional case series study conducted in academic tertiary care centers, 13 patients underwent segmental mandibulectomy and microvascular free flap reconstruction, including 8 patients with stage 3 disease and 5 patients with recalcitrant stage 2 disease. All patients had persistent or progressive disease despite conservative oral care and antibiotic treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Segmental mandibulectomy and microvascular free flap reconstruction. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Treatment efficacy and postoperative complications. RESULTS There was 1 total flap loss due to infection. The patient with a flap loss ultimately underwent a successful fibula osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction after serial irrigation and debridement. The overall complication rate was 46% (n = 6). All complications occurred in patients with stage 3 disease. Ultimately, all patients achieved a successful reconstruction, with no recurrences. All patients tolerated a soft or regular diet postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws is an increasingly recognized complication of intravenous and oral bisphosphonate therapy that can occasionally progress to involve full-thickness mandibular destruction, pathologic fracture, and fistulization, as well as chronic pain and infection. Mandibulectomy and free flap reconstruction is an effective treatment for patients with stage 3 and recalcitrant stage 2 bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. High rates of chronic infection and underlying medical comorbidities may predispose to a substantial perioperative complication rate.

Impact of pharyngeal closure technique on fistula after salvage laryngectomy.

IMPORTANCE: No consensus exists as to the best technique, or techniques, to optimize wound healing, decrease pharyngocutaneous fistula formation, and shorten both hospital length of stay and time to initiation of oral intake after salvage laryngectomy. We sought to combine the recent experience of multiple high-volume institutions, with different reconstructive preferences, in the management of pharyngeal closure technique for post-radiation therapy salvage total laryngectomy in an effort to bring clarity to this clinical challenge. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the use of vascularized flaps in either an onlay or interposed fashion reduces the incidence or duration of pharyngocutaneous fistula after salvage laryngectomy compared with simple primary closure of the pharynx. DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective review of all patients undergoing total laryngectomy after having received definitive radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy between January 2005 and January 2012, conducted at 7 academic medical centers. SETTING: Academic, tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS: The study population comprised 359 patients from 8 institutions. All patients had a history of laryngeal irradiation and underwent laryngectomy between 2005 and 2012. They were grouped as primary closure, pectoralis myofascial onlay flap, or interposed free tissue. All patients had a minimum of 4 months follow-up. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Fistula incidence, severity, and predictors of fistula. RESULTS: Of the 359 patients, fistula occurred in 94 (27%). For patients with fistula, hospital stay increased from 8.9 to 12.1 days (P < .001) and oral diet initiation was delayed from 10.5 days to 29.9 days (P < .001). Patients were grouped according to closure technique: primary closure (n = 99), pectoralis onlay flap (n = 40), and interposed free tissue (n = 220). Incidence of fistula with primary closure was 34%. For the interposed free flap group, the fistula rate was lower at 25% (P = .07). Incidence of fistula was the lowest for the pectoralis onlay group at 15% (P = .02). Multivariate analysis confirmed a significantly lower fistula rate with either flap technique. For patients who developed fistula, mean duration of fistula was significantly prolonged with primary closure (14.0 weeks) compared with pectoralis flap (9.0 weeks) and free flap (6.5 weeks). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Pharyngocutaneous fistula remains a significant problem following salvage laryngectomy. Use of nonirradiated, vascularized flaps reduced the incidence and duration of fistula and should be considered during salvage laryngectomy.

Outcomes of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap for mandibular reconstruction.

IMPORTANCE: Limited donor and recipient site complications support the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) for mandibular reconstruction as a useful option for single-stage mandibular reconstruction. OBJECTIVE: To examine and report long-term outcomes and complications at the donor and recipient sites for patients undergoing the OCRFFF for mandibular reconstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Academic, tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: The study population comprised 167 consecutive patients who underwent single-staged mandibular reconstruction with an OCRFFF. MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of complications at the donor and recipient sites. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 61 years (range, 20-93 years). Men compromised 68% of the population. Follow-up interval ranged from 2 to 99 months (mean, 25.9 months). The median length of bone harvested was 7 cm (range, 2.5-12.0 cm). Prophylactic plating was completed for each of the radii at the time of harvest. Donor site complications included radial fracture (1 patient [0.5%]), tendon exposure (47 patients [28%]), and donor hand weakness or numbness (13 patients [9%]). Recipient site complications included mandible hardware exposure (29 patients [17%]), mandible nonunion or malunion (4 patients [2%]), and mandible bone or hardware fracture (4 patients [2%]). Using regression analysis, we found that patients were 1.3 times more likely to have plate exposure for every increase of 1 cm of bone harvest length; this was statistically significant (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This is the largest single study reporting outcomes and complications for patients undergoing OCRFFF for mandibular reconstruction. Prophylactic plating of the donor radius has nearly eliminated the risk of pathologic radial bone fractures. Limited long-term donor and recipient site complications support the use of this flap for single-stage mandibular reconstruction.

Rehabilitation of a parotidectomy patient--a systematic approach.

Parotidectomy is a common surgical procedure. Resultant contour defect, Frey's syndrome, and facial nerve rehabilitation deserve special consideration. Microsurgical techniques provide unparallel advantage for reconstruction of large-volume defects. Same-stage reconstruction of the defect is advocated and often beneficial to the patient. The importance of full communication between the extirpative and reconstructive surgeon cannot be underscored. Often, institutional and personal biases must be overcome to provide best quality care for the patient. This article provides a comprehensive review of the medical literature on the subject and contrives a systematic approach to the use of various reconstructive techniques.

Comparison of radial forearm with fibula and scapula osteocutaneous free flaps for oromandibular reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare our experience with the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (group 1) (n = 108) with other commonly used osteocutaneous free flaps (group 2) (n = 56) such as the fibula and scapula in single-stage oromandibular reconstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary-care academic medical center. PATIENTS: One hundred sixty-three consecutive patients who underwent 164 mandibular reconstructions with osteocutaneous free flaps. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of preoperative and intraoperative variables for both groups. We compared recipient-site complication rate, intensive care unit stay, total hospital stay, and postoperative function. RESULTS: The most common donor site used was the radius (n = 108 [66%]), followed by the fibula (n = 36 [22%]) and scapula (n = 20 [12%]). Mean follow-up was 29 months (range, 1-116 months). Group 2 patients had larger soft tissue and/or bony defects. Surgical and medical complication rates and major donor site morbidity in group 1 were similar or better when compared with those in group 2. The lengths of the intensive care unit (4 vs 7 days; P = .009) and hospital stays (13 vs 15 days; P = .06) were shorter in group 1. Although the microvascular success rate was similar in both groups, the local wound complication rate was significantly better for group 1. The difference for the length of intensive care unit stay was statistically significant and potentially amounts to more than 6000 dollars of savings. Functional outcomes, including the ability to tolerate oral diet, tracheostomy presence, and dental rehabilitation, were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The primary site long-term morbidity, donor site morbidity, and postoperative function of osteocutaneous radial forearm free flaps are comparable to those of other commonly used osteocutaneous free flaps such as the fibula and scapula when used in single-stage oromandibular reconstruction.

The role of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap in the treatment of mandibular osteoradionecrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) in the treatment of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective case review of patients who underwent OCRFFF oromandibular reconstruction after resection of nonviable tissue at an academic tertiary care center because of ORN. Patients with reconstructions other than OCRFFF were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Nine patients underwent a composite oromandibular resection for ORN with a reconstruction using an OCRFFF between April 1998 and February 2003. All patients had failed previous less aggressive surgical and medical management of the ORN. Mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 14-67 months). There were no flap failures or significant immediate postoperative or long-term complications observed. All patients had successful restoration of mandibular integrity and continuity, with 100% success rate of stabilization of ORN. All patients were able to tolerate PO diet, with only one third having to supplement their diet with gastrostomy feedings, compared with 89% gastrostomy dependence preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Primary or adjuvant radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies can result in ORN of the mandible. This difficult problem often requires surgical intervention. In our experience, the OCRFFF can be successfully used for oromandibular reconstruction, even in the setting of the heavily radiated tissue with excellent postoperative outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study that demonstrates the efficacy of the OCRFFF as a treatment of mandibular ORN.

Use of the 2.0-mm locking reconstruction plate in primary oromandibular reconstruction after composite resection.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with 2.0-mm locking reconstruction plate (LRP) system for patients requiring oromandibular reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review of 43 consecutive patients who underwent mandibular composite resection with immediate reconstruction. SETTING: Tertiary care center. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent oromandibular reconstruction with the 2.0-mm mandibular LRP system and free flaps containing vascularized bone. Mean follow-up was 11 months. There were no intraoperative difficulties utilizing this system. Two (5%) patients had partial fasciocutaneous flap loss resulting in plate exposure. There were no instances of plate fracture or complications requiring plate removal to date. CONCLUSION: 2.0-mm LRP mandibular system is reliable even in the setting of previous or adjuvant radiation therapy. Its technical ease of application, contouring malleability, and very low profile have proven to be advantageous in oromandibular reconstruction. SIGNIFICANCE: No previous descriptions of use of the 2.0-mm LRP in combination with osteocutaneous free flaps for mandibular reconstruction are found in the literature. EBM RATING: C.