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Anastomotic Revision in Head and Neck Free Flaps
Author(s) -
Stewart Matthew,
Swendseid Brian,
Hammond Perry,
Khatiwala Ishani,
Sarwary Juliana,
Zhan Tingting,
Heffelfinger Ryan,
Luginbuhl Adam,
Sweeny Larissa,
Wax Mark K.,
Curry Joseph M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.29094
Subject(s) - medicine , anastomosis , surgery , head and neck , odds ratio , retrospective cohort study , logistic regression
Objectives/Hypothesis Predictors of free tissue transfer (FTT) failure and the need for postoperative revision (POR) have been extensively studied; however, there are little data evaluating outcomes when intraoperative revision (IOR) at initial surgery is required. This study seeks to better understand the impact IOR of the pedicle has on FTT outcomes. Study Design Retrospective review of 2482 consecutive patients across three tertiary institutions. Methods Adult patients (>18) who received a FTT and underwent anastomotic revision from 2006 to 2019 were included. Logistic regression was performed to predict revision, and recursive partitioning was performed to classify risk of failure based on type of revision and vessels revised. Results Failure rates for IOR (19%) and POR (27%) were higher compared to a nonrevised failure rate of 2% ( P < .01 and P < .01, respectively). Intraoperative venous revision (IORv, n = 13), arterial (IORa, n = 114), and both (IORb, n = 11) were associated with failure rates of 8% (odds ratio [OR] 3.5, P = .23), 18% (OR = 9.0, P < .01), 45% (OR = 35.3, P = <.01), respectively. Arterial revision was most common among IOR (83%, P < .01). Postoperative venous revision (PORv, n = 35), arterial (PORa, n = 36), and both (PORb, n = 11) were associated with failure rates of 20% (OR = 15.7, P < .01), 27% (OR = 10.6, P < .01), and 39% (OR = 27.0, P < .01), respectively. Failure rate for flaps that had POR after IOR (PORi, n = 11) was 45% (OR = 18.2, P < .01). Diabetes predicted IOR ( P = .006); tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, and prior radiation predicted POR ( P = .01, P = .05, and P = .01, respectively). Conclusion Both IOR and POR were associated with increased failure compared to nonrevised flaps. The risk of failure increases sequentially with intraoperative or POR of the vein, artery, or both vessels. Revision of both vessels and POR after IOR are strongly predictive of failure. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope , 131:1035–1041, 2021