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Speck NE, Haumer A, Pfister P, Muller L, Gahl B, Burger M, Largo RD, Schaefer DJ, Ismail T. Neurotized profunda artery perforator flap for subtotal tongue reconstruction - Prospective case series. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2024; 95:35-42. [PMID: 38875869 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Total or subtotal glossectomy defects cause significant functional deficits in swallowing and speech and subsequently impair patients' quality of life (QOL). Recently, the profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap has emerged as a potential alternative for reconstructing extensive glossectomy defects. While previous studies assessing recovery of neurotized anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps in head and neck reconstruction reported superior sensory recovery, improved swallow function, and improved overall patient satisfaction in patients with neurotized flaps vs. non-neurotized ALT flap reconstruction, PAP flap neurotization has not been described and systematically assessed in head and neck patients. METHODS Six patients underwent subtotal tongue reconstruction with neurotized PAP flaps at the authors' institution from May 2022 until August 2023. A branch of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve of the PAP flap was coaptated to the lingual nerve. Two-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, pain, and temperature assessments were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively on the neo-tongue. The MD Anderson speech and deglutition scales and the EORTC-QLQ-H&N35 were used to record functional outcomes and QOL. RESULTS The mean age was 69 ± 4 years, and the mean body mass index was 25 ± 7 kg/m2. Neo-tongue median 2-point discrimination at the tip improved from >10 mm at 3 months to 6 mm at 12 months. All patients had protective pain and temperature perception at the neo-tongue tip at the 6-month follow-up. Speech and swallowing functions were similar at the 12-month follow-up to data on neurotized ALT flaps from literature. No neuropathic pain was reported at the donor site at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This is the first case series of PAP flap neurotization in head and neck patients, suggesting potential functional advantages with minimal donor-site morbidity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V Case Series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E Speck
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Haumer
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Pfister
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Muller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Brigitta Gahl
- Surgical Outcome Research Center, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maximilian Burger
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rene D Largo
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dirk J Schaefer
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tarek Ismail
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
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Pfister P, Speck NE, Gahl B, Muller L, Fürst T, Kappos EA, Schaefer DJ, Largo RD, Ismail T. Impact of adjuvant radiochemotherapy on free flap volume in head and neck reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2024; 91:24-34. [PMID: 38401274 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data exist regarding the effect of adjuvant radiochemotherapy on free flap volume in head and neck reconstruction. However, an adequate free flap volume is an important predictor of functional and patient-reported outcomes in head and neck reconstruction. METHODS A systematic review of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 6710 abstracts were screened, and 36 full-text papers were reviewed. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were used to extract data for this analysis. RESULTS A meta-analysis of 14 two-arm studies comparing the impact of adjuvant radiotherapy versus no adjuvant radiotherapy was performed. The main analysis revealed that 6 months postoperatively, irradiated flaps showed a significant reduction of volume (average, 9.4%) compared to nonirradiated flaps. The average interpolated pooled flap volumes 6 months postoperatively were 76.4% in irradiated flaps and 81.8% in nonirradiated flaps. After a median postoperative follow-up of 12 months, the total flap volume was 62.6% for irradiated flaps and 76% for nonirradiated flaps. Four studies reported that chemotherapy had no significant impact on free flap volume. CONCLUSIONS Compared to nonirradiated flaps, irradiated flaps were significantly reduced in volume (range, 5% to 15.5%). Clinicians should take this into account when planning the surgical reconstruction of head and neck defects. Conducting large-scale prospective studies with standardized protocols and well-defined follow-up measurements could contribute to defining the ideal, personalized free flap volume for optimal function and patient-reported outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Pfister
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicole E Speck
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Brigitta Gahl
- Surgical Outcome Research Center Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Muller
- Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Fürst
- University Medical Library, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth A Kappos
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dirk J Schaefer
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rene D Largo
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tarek Ismail
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Ishida K, Hirayama H, Nukami M, Kodama H, Kishi K, Akutsu T, Miyawaki T. Comparison of complications and functional outcomes following total or subtotal glossectomy with laryngeal preservation using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap versus a rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2024; 90:249-258. [PMID: 38387422 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Wide defects resulting from subtotal or total glossectomy are commonly reconstructed using a bulk flap to maintain oral and speech functions. The flap, including muscle tissue, diminishes with time. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator and rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap reconstructions after glossectomy with laryngeal preservation. METHODS Medical records of 13 and 26 patients who underwent deep inferior epigastric artery perforator and rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap reconstructions, respectively, from 2014 to 2022 at our institution were reviewed. Patients who underwent middle pharynx resection except for the base of the tongue, mandibular bone resection, and sensory reinnervation were excluded. RESULTS The rectus abdominis musculocutaneous groups showed a higher number of lymph node dissection and shorter operative time than the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator groups. No significant differences in postoperative complications or functional oral intake scale scores at 6 months were observed. Volumetric changes on computed tomography images at 6 and 12 months were significantly lower in the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator group. Cancer recurrence was significantly associated with reduced oral function. CONCLUSIONS Oral function in patients with cancer is influenced by various other factors. However, the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap may be suitable for tongue reconstruction because of the minimal postoperative changes in flap volume, easy adjustment of flap thickness, elevation of multiple flaps, and minimal complications at the donor site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiro Ishida
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Haruyuki Hirayama
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Masaki Nukami
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Kodama
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Keita Kishi
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Taisuke Akutsu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8, Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Miyawaki
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
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Lee ZH, Canzi A, Yu J, Chang EI. Expanding the Armamentarium of Donor Sites in Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1311. [PMID: 38592147 PMCID: PMC10932027 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of microsurgical head and neck reconstruction has witnessed tremendous advancements in recent years. While the historic goals of reconstruction were simply to maximize flap survival, optimizing both aesthetic and functional outcomes has now become the priority. With an increased understanding of perforator anatomy, improved technology in instruments and microscopes, and high flap success rates, the reconstructive microsurgeon can push the envelope in harvesting and designing the ideal flap to aid patients following tumor extirpation. Furthermore, with improvements in cancer treatment leading to improved patient survival and prognosis, it becomes increasingly important to have a broader repertoire of donor sites. The present review aims to provide a review of newly emerging soft tissue flap options in head and neck reconstruction. While certainly a number of bony flap options also exist, the present review will focus on soft tissue flaps that can be harvested reliably from a variety of alternate donor sites. From the upper extremity, the ulnar forearm as well as the lateral arm, and from the lower extremity, the profunda artery perforator, medial sural artery perforator, and superficial circumflex iliac perforator flaps will be discussed, and we will provide details to aid reconstructive microsurgeons in incorporating these alternative flaps into their armamentarium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Edward I. Chang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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