FREE RADIAL FOREARM FLAP RECONSTRUCTION IN SURGERY OF THE ORAL CAVITYAND PHARYNX - SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS, IMPAIRMENT OF SPEECH AND SWALLOWING

The first 100 consecutive free radial forearm flaps used in reconstruc tion for oral and pharyngeal cancer were investigated. Seven re-operat ions took place due to circulatory impairment of the flap. Two flaps u nderwent partial, and four total necrosis, one of those patients died of massive haemorrhage. Post-operative infection was signficantly corr elated to increased time between the last radiotherapy session and sur gery. All but eight patients had post-operative impairment of swallowi ng and all but five patients had impairment of speech articulation or hypernasality. Post-operative time spent in hospital was a range of 12 -122 days (mean 37 days). The 2-year survival rate was 70% and the 5-y ear survival rate was 45%.