DEXTRAN-RELATED COMPLICATIONS IN HEAD AND NECK MICROSURGERY: DO THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE RISKS?

Management of Traumatic Nasal Avulsion Injuries

Soft tissue injuries to the midface (and nose) are common causes for seeking trauma care. As trauma patients, observing advanced trauma life support protocols is warranted given the risk of concomitant injuries. Here, options for optimizing tissue preservation, microvascular replantation, non-microvascular tissue replacement, and wound stabilization are discussed. Included in this discussion are data-driven predictors for successful replantation as well as technique descriptions with anatomic references to guide surgeons in choosing optimal donor vessels. In both partial and complete avulsion injuries, venous congestion is common. Several postoperative wound care protocols to maximize tissue perfusion and long-term viability are discussed.

Chemoprophylaxis and Management of Venous Thromboembolism in Microvascular Surgery

This review aims to highlight the common pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions utilized for thromboprophylaxis as well as flap salvage in microsurgery. A literature review was conducted in PubMed/National Center for Biotechnology Information, Scopus, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases. Articles with a focus on thromboprophylaxis in microsurgical procedures spanning head and neck surgery, breast and extremity microvascular reconstruction, deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus in microvascular surgery, and flap thrombosis and salvage were included in this review. The majority of available evidence supports mechanical venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in all patients undergoing microsurgery given the presence of multiple risk factors for VTE within this particular patient population. Based on the literature review, addition of VTE chemoprophylactic agents is beneficial and an algorithmic approach to thromboprophylaxis in microsurgery patients and management of patients with thrombosis based on literature review and senior authors' experience is recommended and outlined.

Free flap reconstruction experience and outcomes at a low-volume institution over 20 years

OBJECTIVE

Assess the efficacy of free flap reconstruction performed at a low-volume program and evaluate how volume and outcomes have changed over 20 years.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

Tertiary academic medical center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed at a tertiary care academic program on all free tissue flaps from the primary reconstructive surgeon over 20 years (1993-2013). In total, 136 procedures were obtained from operative notes, billing codes, and chart databases. Outcome variables included procedure success and complications. Patients stayed in general intensive care unit and hospital floor units.

RESULTS

Flap success was 92.6% of all cases. In the past 13 years, 70 flaps were performed with 3 failures (96% success rate). Take-back rate was 16% of total cases with a flap recovery rate of 60%. Postoperative failure occurred after 72 hours in 60% of cases. Nearly 60% of patients experienced a complication of any type or severity. Twenty percent had a flap complication while maintaining viability, with half of these being partial dehiscence. Systemic complications affected 20% of all cases. The average hospital stay for noncomplicated patients was 13 days. There was 1 postoperative mortality. Fibula and radial forearm were the most common flaps at 44% and 26%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Free flap reconstruction of the head and neck can be performed by appropriately skilled surgeons with acceptable outcomes in low-volume settings. Success rate appears to increase as clinical experience is gained.