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Free flap reconstruction of tumors involving the cranial base
Author(s) -
Besteiro Julio Morais,
Aki Fabio Ezo,
Ferreira Marcus Castro,
Medina L. R.,
Cernea C.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.1920150105
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , free flap , leak , microsurgery , lumbar , environmental engineering , engineering
The authors describe their experience in treating 24 patients who underwent resection of tumors involving anterior, middle or posterior cranial fossa with immediate reconstruction. All were reconstructed with free flaps, 15 rectus abdominis, 4 radial forearm, 3 latissimus dorsi, 2 great omentum, and one scapular flap. There was one latissimus dorsi flap loss due to arterial thrombosis in a heavily irradiated patient. Three patients presented with a temporary cerebrospinal fluid leak, one of them with meningitis which resolved after intravenous antibiotics and continuous lumbar drainage. Fifteen patients were followed (mean 2 years). Five died of recurrence. Four presented local recurrence. Six patients are alive with no signs of recurrence. Free flaps, especially the rectus abdominis flap and the latissimus dorsi, are versatile flaps and may be easily positioned to cover several structures or anatomical surfaces. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.