The angular branch (AB)-based tip of scapula free flap is a valuable reconstructive option in palato-maxillary defects needing significant structural support. We herein retrospectively evaluate our surgical series with special focus on functional outcomes and postoperative morbidity. Ninety-seven consecutive palatomaxillary oncologic resections were performed at our institution between August 2008 and November 2015. The analysis focused on those reconstructed by an AB-based tip of scapula free flap (N = 18; 19 %). A prospective assessment of donor site morbidity was performed by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire in 12 (67 %) patients. Among patients reconstructed by an AB-based tip of scapula free flap, 13 (72 %) had a Class II and 5 (28 %) a Class III defect according to Okay classification. Flap success rate was 94 %, with one failure requiring an anterolateral thigh flap. Eight (44 %) patients experienced recipient site complications, while donor site problems occurred in two only (11 %). Eleven (61 %) subjects were able to maintain a normal and 7 (39 %) a soft-to-firm diet. The mean DASH score was 10.5. Our results confirm that the AB-based tip of scapula free flap is a reliable choice in palatomaxillary reconstruction, with both satisfactory functional outcomes and negligible donor site morbidity.

Palato-maxillary reconstruction by the angular branch-based tip of scapula free flap / C. Piazza, A. Paderno, F. Del Bon, V. Taglietti, A. Grammatica, N. Montalto, P. Nicolai. - In: EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGY. - ISSN 0937-4477. - 274:2(2017), pp. 939-945. [10.1007/s00405-016-4266-0]

Palato-maxillary reconstruction by the angular branch-based tip of scapula free flap

C. Piazza
;
V. Taglietti;
2017

Abstract

The angular branch (AB)-based tip of scapula free flap is a valuable reconstructive option in palato-maxillary defects needing significant structural support. We herein retrospectively evaluate our surgical series with special focus on functional outcomes and postoperative morbidity. Ninety-seven consecutive palatomaxillary oncologic resections were performed at our institution between August 2008 and November 2015. The analysis focused on those reconstructed by an AB-based tip of scapula free flap (N = 18; 19 %). A prospective assessment of donor site morbidity was performed by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire in 12 (67 %) patients. Among patients reconstructed by an AB-based tip of scapula free flap, 13 (72 %) had a Class II and 5 (28 %) a Class III defect according to Okay classification. Flap success rate was 94 %, with one failure requiring an anterolateral thigh flap. Eight (44 %) patients experienced recipient site complications, while donor site problems occurred in two only (11 %). Eleven (61 %) subjects were able to maintain a normal and 7 (39 %) a soft-to-firm diet. The mean DASH score was 10.5. Our results confirm that the AB-based tip of scapula free flap is a reliable choice in palatomaxillary reconstruction, with both satisfactory functional outcomes and negligible donor site morbidity.
Free flaps; Functional results; Oncologic results; Palato-maxillary reconstruction; Tip of scapula; Adult; Aged; Carcinoma; Female; Humans; Jaw Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures; Retrospective Studies; Scapula; Free Tissue Flaps; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; Otorhinolaryngology; 2734; Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Settore MED/31 - Otorinolaringoiatria
2017
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/622383
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