Scapula osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction of the head and neck: Impact of flap choice on surgical and medical complications

Abstract

The scapula osteocutaneous free flap has a high success rate in head and neck reconstruction. Surgical complications occur frequently regardless of whether the flap is used as a first or second choice. However, medical complications are more frequent and severe in patients undergoing second-choice flaps.

A combined superficial inferior epigastric artery flap and vascularized iliac crest flap in the reconstruction of extended composite defects of the posterior mandible and adjacent soft tissue: first clinical results

“…Only the lateral and medial margin of the scapula is suited for implant placement 15 . These crests are sometimes thin and of minor height, so only short dental implants can be used 1,19 .…”

“…In many cases these composite flaps can be harvested from one donor site and the reconstruction can be carried out with a composite flap perfused by one vascular pedicle. If defects of the mandible have to be covered, microvascular fibula 18 , iliac crest 10,22 , scapula 19 , rib 3,16 or radius flaps 20 are used most often 24 . These flaps may be used as osseous, osteocutaneous or osteomyocutaneous transplants to make individual tissue transfer possible, depending on the components to be reconstructed.…”

Prospective series of reconstruction of complex composite mandibulectomy defects with double island free fibula flap

“…A number of different flaps have now been described giving reconstructive microsurgeons an abundance of donor site options that can be tailored to any particular defect . Soft tissue defects can be reconstructed with a myriad of different flaps depending on the size and location of the defect while bony defects can also be reconstructed with a variety of osteocutaneous free flaps . Given the number of different options available, studies have even emerged comparing different free flaps to further refine which flaps may provide the optimal function while also minimizing donor site morbidity.…”

Risk factors for postoperative hemorrhage in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective study

“…The groups in this study were a hemorrhage group and a non‐hemorrhage group. Flap complications and failures were defined in this study according to Smith . Surgical site infection was defined in this study according to Jain, Mazurek, and Kamizono …”