Ultrasonic Shears Decrease Postoperative Hematomas in Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postoperative hematoma and takeback rates in a large series of microvascular reconstructions. We sought to determine whether the use of ultrasonic shears reduced these rates. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: A total of 2288 patients undergoing free flap reconstruction for head and neck defects between 1995 and 2022 were reviewed. Patients undergoing dissection with and without ultrasonic shears were compared to determine postoperative hematoma and takeback rates. RESULTS: The overall hematoma rate was 1.3% (29/2288) for the entire cohort. The postoperative hematoma rates with and without ultrasonic shears were 0.63% (9/1418) and 2.3% (20/870), relative risk = 0.28, P = .0015. Of 870 patients undergoing surgery without ultrasonic shears, 14 (1.61%) were taken back to the operating room for control of bleeding compared to 8 of 1418 (0.56%) in the ultrasonic shears cohort. CONCLUSION: Our large series of patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction shows a decrease in postoperative hematoma rate and takeback for bleeding with the adoption of ultrasonic shears. Ultrasonic shears are an effective tool that can help decrease perioperative morbidity secondary to hematoma after head and neck tumor resection and microvascular reconstruction.

Antiaging Effects of Topical Defensins.

Topical defensins have recently gained attention as agents to improve skin composition. This study aimed to aggregate and synthesize studies in the literature assessing the effects of topical defensins on skin composition in the context of its ability to combat signs of aging.

Medial Sural Artery Perforator Flap: A Middle Ground Between Anterolateral Thigh and Radial Forearm Flaps.

OBJECTIVE: The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap has gained popularity in head and neck reconstruction primarily as a less morbid alternative to the radial forearm free flap (RFFF). However, no direct comparison of thickness exists among the MSAP, RFFF, and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps, which together represent the commonly utilized nonosseus-free flaps in head and neck reconstruction. Thus, this study aimed to compare these flap sites and identify predictors of thickness that will aid in reconstructive surgical planning. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: The thickness of skin and subcutaneous tissue at the RFFF, MSAP, and ALT donor sites were measured in 54 adult patients using Doppler ultrasound. General linear models were generated to identify predictors of flap thickness. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the RFFF, MSAP, and ALT flaps was 3.8 ± 2.2 mm, 7.4 ± 3.8 mm, and 9.6 ± 4.7 mm. Body mass index (BMI) was the only statistically significant contributing factor (p < .0001, coefficient: 0.15) for the RFFF. MSAP was affected by age (p = .006, coefficient = 0.06), female gender (p < .0001, coefficient = 3.2), and BMI (p < .001, coefficient = 0.25), while the ALT was affected by female gender (p = .0005, coefficient = 3.3) and BMI (p < .0001, coefficient = 0.35). Thus, the ratio of increase for flap thickness with respect to BMI is 3:5:7 for the RFFF, MSAP, and ALT flaps, respectively. CONCLUSION: The MSAP is about twice the thickness of the RFFF and 2 mm thinner than the ALT; however, 22% of patients had thicker MSAP than ALT flaps. As the strongest predictors of flap thickness, female gender, and BMI may be taken into consideration during surgical planning for reconstruction.

Anterolateral Thigh Fascia Lata Rescue Flap: A New Weapon in the Battle Against Osteoradionecrosis.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that the anterolateral thigh fascia lata (ALTFL) rescue flap may be effectively used for management of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in selected patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent ALTFL free flap repair to various sites of ORN in the head and neck between 2011 and 2018. Inclusion criteria were patients with radiographic and clinical evidence of head and neck ORN who either failed previous hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy or with extensive disease, which was unlikely to respond to conservative management. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with average age of 63 years (40-78) who underwent 24 ALTFL free flap procedures were reviewed. ORN sites were the mandible (n = 16), palatomaxilla (n = 4), skull base and cervical spine (n = 3), and calvarium (n = 2). Recipient vessels used were superficial temporal (n = 11), common facial (n = 10), and angular (n = 3). Average hospital stay was 3.0 (1-10) days. Prior HBO therapy was performed in 13 (57%) patients. There were four major complications: flap failure, recurrent mandibular infection resolved with IV antibiotic course, mandibular fracture with malunion requiring occlusal adjustment, and unresolved sequelae of ORN requiring fibular free flap. There were four minor complications: thigh hematoma, thigh seroma, and intraoral scar formation causing trismus (n = 2). The procedure was successful in 22 of 23 (95.7%) patients with radiographic arrest of ORN, resolution of symptoms, and elimination of antibiotic requirements. CONCLUSION: The ALTFL rescue flap merits strong consideration in ORN management and appears to prevent progression to more extensive disease, which would require full segmental bone resection and reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2688-2693, 2021.

Fascia Lata Free Flap Reconstruction of Limited Hard Palate Defects.

Objective  The anterior-lateral thigh (ALT) free flap is a flexible reconstructive option with fascia lata, fasciocutaneous, and musculocutaneous options. The objective of this study is to evaluate ALT fascia lata free flap reconstruction of isolated hard palate defects. Methods  Retrospective chart review of all palate reconstructions with ALT free flap from 2008-2017 by a single surgeon, at a tertiary academic institution. Patients with defects limited to the hard palate were selected for review. Results Forty-eight patients were identified, of which 14 patients had limited palatal defects repaired with fascia lata free flaps and were selected for review. The average hospital stay for all patients was 2.8 days (range 1-4 days). Eighty-five percent of patients were started on an oral diet from post-operative day (POD) one. Ten of 14 were extubated at the end of the case, with four being extubated on POD one. One patient suffered donor site morbidity, which required intervention (one seroma requiring drainage). Two patients underwent minor palatal revisions with local tissue rearrangement for recurrent fistula. No patients suffered long-term velopharyngeal inadequacy (VPI) or dysphagia, and all reported normal nasal respiration. Conclusion The ALT fascia lata free flap is a versatile reconstructive option for hard palate defects, with minimal morbidity, short hospital stays, and excellent long-term results.