Influence of prior radiotherapy on free tissue transfer in head and neck region / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the influence of prior radiotherapy on free tissue transfer in head and neck region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One thousand and sixty-six consecutive free flap transfers performed in 1007 patients in head and neck region from May 1999 to March 2005 were reviewed. Among the 1007 cases, 146 had a history of prior radiotherapy (radiation group), and the other 896 without prior radiotherapy (non-radiation group). The two groups were compared in terms of free flap success rate and postoperative complication rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The success rate of free flap was 97.6% in the radiation group, and 98.4% in the non-radiation group. The postoperative complication rate was 38.4% in the radiation group, and 36.4% in the non-radiation group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Prior radiotherapy poses no significant influence on free tissue transfer in head and neck region.</p>