Supplemental Regional Block Anesthesia Reduces Opioid Utilization Following Free Flap Reconstruction of the Oral Cavity: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Regional anesthesia has been shown to effectively manage acute pain and reduce opioid utilization in the early postoperative period following colorectal, orthopedic, and thoracic surgeries. The same effect, however, has not been demonstrated in major head and neck surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether supplemental regional anesthesia reduces opioid utilization following microvascular free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity. METHODS: A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted for patients undergoing oral cavity reconstruction using microvascular free tissue transfer between January 2020 and March 2022. The predictor variable was a regional anesthetic nerve block, delivered preoperatively, at the flap donor site. The primary and secondary outcomes were opioid utilization, measured in oral morphine equivalent (OME), from postoperative day 1 to 5, and hospital length of stay (LOS), respectively. Covariates included age, sex, tobacco and alcohol history, prior radiation therapy, pathology, oral site, flap type, tracheostomy, and neck dissection. Student's t test, χ2 test, and linear regression models were computed using correlations with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For all statistical tests, P values of <.05 were regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: Ninety-eight participants completed the study. The mean age was 56 years with 55% male. Forty-eight patients received a presurgical regional anesthesia block, and 50 patients served as control subjects. Bivariate analysis demonstrated an even distribution of all study variables. Total OME utilization was significantly less in the treatment group compared to the control group, (166.32 vs 118.43 OME; 95% CI, 1.32 to 94.45; P = .04). The LOS was comparable (6.60 vs 6.48 days; 95% CI, -0.53 to 0.77; P = .71). Tobacco use had a positive effect (B = 0.28; 95% CI, 21.63 to 115.31; P = .005) while the block had a negative effect with total OME, (B = -0.19; 95% CI, -90.39 to -0.59; P = .047). The extent of the neck dissection (B = 0.207; 95% CI, 0.026 to 1.403; P = .042) was a positive predictor for LOS. Overall, there were no adverse events associated with the regional block throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Supplemental regional anesthesia is safe and associated with reduced opioid utilization in patients undergoing vascularized free flap reconstruction of composite oral cavity defects and does not prolong the length of hospitalization.

Computer-Assisted Microvascular Free Flap Reconstruction and Implant Rehabilitation of the Maxilla-Treatment of a Rare Post-orthognathic Complication.

Orthognathic surgery is generally a safe and predictable procedure. Major postoperative complications are rare and often non-life threatening. An example of a rare complication associated with the LeFort I osteotomy is avascular necrosis of the maxilla (ANM). While cases of ANM have been described in the literature, the majority involves only a portion or segment of the maxillary complex and is commonly treated with conservative measures such as strict oral hygiene, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and local debridement. Occasionally, larger segments of osteonecrosis may require extensive reconstruction such as bone grafting with local soft tissue flaps. Here, we present a patient that underwent a single-stage microvascular free tissue reconstruction with concomitant placement of dental implants and a patient-specific implant (PSI) for post-orthognathic ANM.

Complications in oncologic mandible reconstruction: A comparative study between the osteocutaneous radial forearm and fibula free flap.

BACKGROUND: The osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OC-RFFF) has been proposed as a safe and reliable free flap for head and neck reconstruction with low donor site morbidity. The purpose of this study is to compare the late complications (>30 days) associated with using the OC-RFFF versus the free fibula flap (FFF) for mandibular reconstruction following oncologic segmental resection. METHODS: We conducted a single-institution, retrospective study composed of patients who underwent oncologic microvascular composite mandibular reconstruction with either the OC-RFFF or FFF. The primary predictor variable was the type of free flap used. The outcome variable was late complication postoperatively (>30 days). RESULTS: A total of 93 patients (28, OC-RFFF and 65, FFF) were analyzed. The majority of patients were male (62%) and with AJCC stage T4a disease (72%). Mean hospital length of stay was comparable between the two flap groups (p = .50). OC-RFFF was associated with more late complications (p = .03) compared to FFF. Nonunion occurred in 10.7% of OC-RFFF and 0% of FFF. Partial or complete flap failure was seen in 7.1% and 0% in the OC-RFFF and FFF, respectively. Two-year disease-free survival was comparable in both groups (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the rate of nonunion and odds of having a late complication were significantly greater in the OC-RFFF compared to the FFF following oncologic mandibular reconstruction. However, flap success, early complications (<30 days), and length of hospital stay were comparable between the two flaps.

Fasciocutaneous Flaps for Refractory Intermediate Stage Osteoradionecrosis of the Mandible-Is It Time for a Shift in Management?

PURPOSE: Historically, free tissue transfer has been reserved for advanced stage osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw with pathologic fracture or cutaneous fistula. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if in patients with recalcitrant intermediate stage ORN, would mandibular debridement in combination with vascularized soft tissue coverage result in durable symptom and disease resolution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with mandibular ORN was performed comparing a mandibular preserving approach with a fasciocutaneous forearm flap for progressive treatment-resistant intermediate stage ORN to mandibulectomy and vascularized bone flap (VBF) reconstruction for advanced stage ORN. The primary outcome was ORN resolution. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 35 patients. One-hundred percent of patients undergoing a mandibular preserving approach experienced ORN resolution compared with 83.3% in the segmental mandibulectomy and VBF reconstruction group (P = .28). Patients in the mandibular preservation group experienced a shorter hospitalization (6 vs 9 days; P = .07), decreased length of surgery (384.9 vs 406.3 minutes; P = .01), and less delayed healing requiring local wound care (9.1 vs 45.8% of patients; P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: A mandibular preserving approach is successful at arresting intermediate stage ORN and is associated with a decreased operative time, a shorter hospitalization, and less need for prolonged wound care when compared with VBF reconstruction for advanced stage ORN.

Does Supplemental Regional Anesthesia Decrease Length of Stay and Opioid Use for Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare length of hospital stay and opioid usage among head and neck surgery (HNS) patients treated with and without regional anesthesia for microvascular free-flap donor sites. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study for HNS patients undergoing microvascular free-flap reconstruction. The control group received no regional anesthesia. The experimental group had a regional anesthesia nerve block performed immediately before surgery. The primary outcome variable was length of stay, and the secondary outcome variable was total morphine milliequivalents. The data were analyzed using Student t tests, analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, χ2 test, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The study sample was composed of 148 patients with a mean age of 58.1 years. The mean length of stay for the control group was 6.74 ± 1.57 days, compared with the experimental group at 5.84 ± 1.01 days (P < .0001). The mean morphine milliequivalent was 256.5 ± 164.6 mg for the control group and 208.9 ± 164.8 mg for the experimental group (P = .56). Importantly, the demographics, pathology spectrum, flap selection, duration of procedure, and complication rate were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that for HNS patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction, regional nerve block at the donor site is associated with significantly shorter hospital stays. Although there was a trend toward decreased opioid usage in the regional anesthesia group, these results did not reach statistical significance. Consideration should be given to incorporate regional anesthesia techniques into early recovery after surgery protocols for centers performing high-volume head and neck microvascular reconstruction.

Titanium Alloy Cutting Guides in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery-A Minimally Invasive Alternative to Synthetic Polymer Guides.

PURPOSE: Historically, synthetic polymers, such as polyamide, have been the predominate material used for patient-specific cutting guides in 3-dimensionally guided craniomaxillofacial surgery. The physical properties of polyamide result in guides that are bulky and difficult to place within the confines of the facial soft tissue envelope, requiring larger incisions with resultant morbidity. Despite their utility, we found the need for wider exposure simply for guide placement was unacceptable. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate our experience with the newly marketed titanium alloy cutting guides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who had undergone either segmental mandibulectomy or maxillectomy using patient-specific titanium alloy cutting guides from May to December 2019. The primary outcome variable was the need for an extended-access cervical incision or a transfacial incision for either maxillectomy or segmental mandibulectomy in patients with benign disorders. The secondary outcome variables included the need for a transfacial incision in patients with malignant pathology requiring either maxillectomy or composite oromandibular resection and the final histopathologic bone margin status. RESULTS: Of the 21 included patients, 11 had undergone maxillectomy (1 of 2) or segmental mandibulectomy (9 of 9) for benign disorders, with 91% (10 of 11) having undergone titanium alloy guide placement and resection entirely transorally without the need for an extended cervical or a transfacial incision. For 10 of the 11 patients undergoing immediate reconstruction with vascularized bone flaps, transcervical access was limited to small 1.5- to 2.5-cm incisions for target vessel access and microvascular anastomosis. None of the 10 patients with a malignant disorder requiring either maxillectomy or composite oromandibular resection required a transfacial incision. The bone margins, as determined by histopathologic analysis, were negative for 100% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-specific titanium alloy cutting guides represent a viable alternative to traditional synthetic polymer guides. Their superior properties permit easier intraoral placement, decreasing the need for cutaneous incisions and excessive periosteal stripping.

Nasotracheal Intubation: The Preferred Airway in Oral Cavity Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery?

PURPOSE: We aimed to describe the safety and effectiveness of nasotracheal intubation (NTI) in a cohort of patients undergoing reconstruction of oral cavity defects with free tissue transfer (FTT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of consecutive patients undergoing FTT reconstruction of oral cavity, maxillary, or mandibular defects between 2013 and 2017. These patients were all subject to a newly developed enhanced recovery-after-surgery protocol. The primary outcome measurement was hospital length of stay (LOS). The secondary outcome variables were the duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, need for gastrostomy, and airway-related complications directly associated with either NTI or tracheostomy. Descriptive statistics and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were completed. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 141 patients who had undergone oral cavity FTT for both benign and malignant diseases (NTI, n = 111; tracheostomy, n = 30). Patients managed with NTI had a statistically significantly shorter hospital LOS (8 days vs 15.5 days, P < .0001) and ICU LOS (1 day vs 2 days, P = .0006), as well as a decreased requirement for gastrostomy (17.1% vs 76.7%, P < .0001). Airway-related complications were rare in both the tracheostomy (13.3%) and NTI (3.6%) groups. Multivariate analysis showed that patients undergoing tracheostomy were 3.14 (P = .004) times more likely to have a prolonged hospitalization and 10.4 (P < .0001) times more likely to require a gastrostomy. A sensitivity analysis of only patients with malignant diagnoses had similar statistically significant results. The delayed tracheostomy rate in the NTI group was 3.6%. CONCLUSIONS: To date, this is the largest study to evaluate the use of NTI in patients undergoing oral cavity reconstruction with FTT. Our results suggest that in the appropriate institutional setting, most patients can be safely managed with NTI. This approach results in a decreased hospital LOS and ICU LOS and an earlier resumption of oral intake with less need for gastrostomy.