A REVIEW OF 716 CONSECUTIVE FREE FLAPS FOR ONCOLOGIC SURGICAL DEFECTS- REFINEMENT IN DONOR-SITE SELECTION AND TECHNIQUE

Free-tissue transfer has become an important method fbr reconstructing complex oncologic surgical defects. This study is a retrospective rev iew of a 10-year experience with 716 consecutive free flaps in 698 pat ients. Regional applications included the head and neck (69 percent), trunk and breast (14 percent), lower extremity (12 percent), and upper extremity (5 percent). Donor sites included the rectus abdominis (195 ),fibula (193), forearm (133), latissimus dorsi (69),jejunum (55), glu teus (28), scapula (26), and seven others (17). Microvascular anastomo ses were performed to large-caliber recipient vessels using a continuo us suture technique; end-to-end anastomoses were preferred (75 percent ). Flaps were designed to avoid the need for vein grafts. Conventional postoperative flap monitoring methods were used. These included clini cal observation supplemented by Doppler ultrasonography, surface tempe rature probes, and pin prick testing. Buried flaps were either evaluat ed with Doppler ultrasonography or not monitored. The overall success rate for free-flap reconstruction of oncologic surgical defects was 98 percent. Fifty-seven flaps (8 percent) were reexplored for either ana stomotic or infectious problems. Reexplored flaps were salvaged in 40 cases (70 percent). Surviving flaps resulted in a healed around and di d not delay postoperative radiation or chemotherapy. The incidence of major and minor postoperative complications was 34 percent. The mean d uration of hospitalization was 20 days, and the average cost was $40,2 24. The results of this study support the need for only seven donor si tes to solve the majority (98 percent) of oncologic problems requiring microsurgical expertise. The evolution of preferred donor sites for s pecific regional applications is illustrated in this 10-year experienc e. Technical refinements have simplified performing the microsurgical anastomoses and essentially eliminated the need for vein grafts. Conve ntional monitoring has led to the rapid identification of vascular com promise and subsequent flap salvage in the majority of non-buried free flaps.