1.
Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci
; 19(1): 28-34, 1994 Feb.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8174297
ABSTRACT
The first 100 consecutive free radial forearm flaps used in reconstruction for oral and pharyngeal cancer were investigated. Seven re-operations took place due to circulatory impairment of the flap. Two flaps underwent partial, and four total necrosis, one of those patients died of massive haemorrhage. Post-operative infection was significantly correlated to increased time between the last radiotherapy session and surgery. All but eight patients had post-operative impairment of swallowing and all but five patients had impairment of speech articulation or hypernasality. Post-operative time spent in hospital was a range of 12-122 days (mean 37 days). The 2-year survival rate was 70% and the 5-year survival rate was 45%.