Implications of the composite free flap harvest site on quality of life after head and neck surgery: a prospective series.

Quality of life (QOL) has become a primary determinant of the treatment outcome. There is a poor evidence base regarding the QOL implications of free flap harvest from the various different osseous composite donor sites. This prospective study assessed the impact of free flap harvest on QOL and compared QOL morbidity between fibula, scapula, and iliac crest (deep circumflex iliac artery; DCIA) donor sites in head and neck reconstructive surgery. This was a single-site prospective cohort clinical research study. Fifty-nine patients were recruited between 2017 and 2021; 30 underwent fibula flap reconstructive surgery, 17 scapula flap, and 12 DCIA flap. The patients were assessed using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire version 4 (UW-QOL v4) preoperatively and again at >12 months postoperatively. The results showed no significant change in the mean global QOL score postoperatively when compared to the preoperative baseline in any of the donor site groups. However, the mean postoperative scores for the appearance domain were significantly lower than the preoperative scores in all of the donor site groups. In addition, fibula flap patients had significantly reduced physical activity and recreation QOL domain scores postoperatively when compared to the preoperative scores.

Outcomes of osseointegrated implants in patients with benign and malignant pathologies of the head and neck: a 10-year single-centre study.

The surgical management of head and neck pathologies involving the maxilla and mandible results in significant functional and aesthetic deficits, and ultimately reduced quality of life. Composite free flaps used for reconstruction address many of these deficits and create a foundation for the use of osseointegrated implants to support prosthetic replacement of the dentition. There are few comparative studies examining outcomes of implants in native and reconstructed bone in head and neck cancer patients. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to compare survival rates and the effects of risk factors between implants placed in native and reconstructed bone. The Kaplan-Meier method estimated cumulative 1- and 5-year implant survival rates of 99.5% and 95% for native bone and 96% and 88% for reconstructed bone. Multivariate Cox regression found an increased risk of implant failure in reconstructed bone (hazard ratio (HR) 9.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.4-29.7, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis of the cohorts found an increased risk of failure in the reconstructed group associated with radiotherapy (HR 6.4, 95% CI 1.8-22.3, P=0.004), current smoking (HR 23.2, 95% CI 2.7-198.6, P=0.004), and previous smoking (HR 9.0, 95% CI 1.1-71.9, P=0.038). There was no effect in the native bone group. Implants placed into reconstructed bone had higher rates of failure, and smoking status and radiotherapy increased the risk of implant failure.

A multi-outcome analysis of the effects of treatment timing in the management of zygomatic fractures.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of surgical treatment delay in the management of zygomatic fractures. A retrospective case series of 99 patients was undertaken. Four outcome measures were analyzed in relation to delay: facial symmetry, facial scarring, trismus, and radiographic outcome. Five additional variables were subsequently analyzed: operation, diagnosis, primary operator, regular alcohol use, and regular cigarette use. Statistically significant associations were found between delay and facial scarring, and delay and radiographic outcome. For each additional delay of a day, the odds of facial scarring being present, compared to absent, decreased by 13% (odds ratio (OR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-0.98). For regular cigarette users, for each additional day of delay there was a 306-fold increased risk of having a radiographic outcome of major deviation from premorbid compared to equivalent to premorbid (OR 306.38, 95% CI 2.08-45,161.49). For non-regular cigarette users/non-users, for each additional day of delay there was a 1.5-fold increased risk of having a radiographic outcome of major deviation from premorbid compared to equivalent to premorbid (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.08-2.09). These findings correlate with commonly held beliefs and anecdotal evidence. Despite the limitations, this study allows for an evidence-based approach to the timing of treatment of zygomatic fractures.