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Fahmina Buriro¹, Syed Akbar Abbas², Syeda Amna Bukhari³, Mazhar Nizam¹, Furqan Mirza⁴ and Sana Sadiq⁵

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the Frequency of different Free flaps for head and neck reconstruction and their outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Plastic and reconstructive surgery department and department of ENT, head and neck surgery, Patel Hospital Karachi from July 2011 to June 2015.

Materials and Methods: 110 patients with different head and neck cancer who underwent reconstruction with free tissue transfer were evaluated. Most of the free flaps performed for squamous carcinoma of cheek with or without bony involvement. There were 93 free flaps for soft tissue reconstruction and 16 for bony reconstruction.

Results: The most common free flap performed was Anterolateral flap (n: 50) followed by radial forearm flap (n:44) and free fibular flap (n: 16) An overall success rate of 94.5% for free-tissue transfers is reported. Radial forearm was most common flap for tongue reconstruction and anterolateral thigh flap for cheek and other larger defects while fibular free flap for bony reconstruction. Donor and recipient site complications, including flap failures and anastomotic revisions, are analyzed in detail with respect to age, radiation status, donor site, and primary or recurrent neoplasm.

Conclusion: Different Microvascular free flaps in head and neck depends on type, size and composition of defect and surgeon’s preference and expertise and anterolateral thigh flap has become most popular free flaps for variety of defects.

Key Words: Microvascular, free flaps, reconstruction, head and neck

Citation of article: Buriro F, Abbas SA, Bukhari SA, Nizam M, Mirza F, Sadiq S. Free Flaps Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancers: Frequency and Outcome in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Med Forum 2022;33(6):51-54.