Critical Importance of the First Postoperative Days After Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction: An Analysis of Timing of Reoperation Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database

Outcomes of Head and Neck Free Tissue Transfer Requiring Vein Grafting: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature to determine the prevalence of free flap failure in head and neck free flaps requiring vein grafting.

DATA SOURCES

Search strategies created in collaboration with a medical librarian were implemented using PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception to August 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

The population of interest included adult and pediatric patients undergoing reconstruction of oncologic or traumatic head and neck defects with a free flap requiring a vein graft that presents the success/failure rate. The primary outcome was the flap failure rate, and the secondary outcome was the flap compromise/revision rate. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were designed to capture all study designs. Initially, 2778 articles were identified by the search strategy. Two reviewers independently performed the review, data extraction for analysis, and a quality assessment. Primary Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were followed. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model.

RESULTS

Eleven studies of 789 flaps were included for data extraction. Random effects meta-analysis resulted in an estimated prevalence of free flap failure of 12.30% (95% confidence interval: 6.39%-19.49%, I2 = 77.4%).

CONCLUSION

Taking into account that head and neck free tissue transfers that require a vein graft are typically associated with more challenging reconstructions and the lack of a suitable alternative, vein grafts appear to be a reliable method for bridging the gap between the flap and recipient vessels in head and neck free tissue transfer when indicated.

Patient Experience of Head and Neck Surgery With Free Flap Reconstruction

Importance

Major head and neck surgery with microvascular free tissue transfer reconstruction is complex, with considerable risk of morbidity. Little is known about patients' experiences, including decision-making prior to, and regret following, free flap surgery.

Objective

To characterize patient experiences and decision regret of patients undergoing head and neck reconstructive free flap surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This mixed-methods cohort study comprising semistructured interviews was conducted June to August 2021 at a single tertiary academic cancer center. Participants underwent head and neck reconstructive surgery with microvascular free tissue transfer (flap) more than 3 months before recruitment (range, 3 months to 4 years). Interview transcripts were qualitatively analyzed for themes. Participants also completed a Decision Regret Scale questionnaire.

Exposure

Microvascular free flap surgery for head and neck reconstruction.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Thematic analysis of interviews, decision regret score.

Results

Seventeen participants were interviewed. Median (IQR) age was 61 (52-70) years. Overall, 7 participants were women (49%), and 10 of 17 were men (59%). The most common free flap was fibula (8/17, 47%). Three major themes with 9 subthemes were identified: theme 1 was the tremendous effect of preoperative counseling on surgical decision-making and satisfaction, with subthemes including (1) importance of clinical care team counseling on decision to have surgery; (2) emotional context colors preoperative understanding and retention of information; (3) expectation-setting affects satisfaction with preoperative counseling; and (4) desire for diversified delivery of preoperative information. Theme 2 was coexisting and often conflicting priorities, including (1) desire to survive above all else, and (2) desire for quality of life. Theme 3 was perception of surgery as momentous and distressing, including (1) surgery as a traumatic event; (2) centrality of mental health, emotional resolve, and gratitude to enduring surgery and recovery; and (3) sense of accomplishment in recovery. On the Decision Regret Scale, most participants had no regret (n = 8, 47%) or mild regret (n = 5, 29%); 4 had moderate-to-severe regret (24%).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this mixed-methods cohort study, patient experiences surrounding major head and neck reconstructive free flap surgery were described. Opportunities to improve support for this complex and vulnerable population, and to mitigate decision regret, were identified.

Timing of Unplanned Reoperation After Lower Extremity Free Flap Reconstruction: What Are the Roles of Procedure Indication and Defect Etiology?

BACKGROUND

Advancements in lower extremity (LE) microsurgery have allowed for the expansion of indications for LE reconstructions. This project aims to better understand the temporal pattern and risk factors associated with LE free flap failure based on the clinical indication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed all patients undergoing LE free flap reconstruction from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2012-2019 prospectively collected data to determine rates and timing of reoperation. Free flaps were stratified by indication, type, and timing of reoperation. Weibull survival models were used to compare rates of takebacks among time intervals. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors for unplanned reoperation.

RESULTS

Four hundred seven of LE free flaps were analyzed. There was a 14.5% rate (59/407) of unplanned reoperation within the first 30 postoperative days (PODs) after surgery. When stratified by the indication necessitating reoperation, patients with an underlying vascular indication had the highest rate of reoperation (40.9%). The reoperation rates were significantly different between indications (P < 0.05) The mean daily proportion of patients experiencing reoperation was highest during POD 0 to 2 (1.47% reoperations per day), which dropped significantly during POD 3 to 10 (0.55% per day) and again during POD 11 to 30 (0.28% per day, P < 0.05). African American race as well as malignant, prosthetic/implant, and wound/infectious indications were significant independent predictors for unplanned reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower extremity reconstruction is an important reconstructive option for the coverage of a myriad of defects. Understanding the differences between postoperative reoperation timelines among indication subtypes is important for updated flap monitoring protocols, optimizing ERAS pathways, and beginning dangle protocols.