PO-62 - Remote ischemic preconditioning in head and neck cancer reconstruction - a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: In reconstructive head and neck cancer surgery, tissue flaps are transferred to the surgical defect and revascularized by anastomosis of small vessels. Cancer patients are in a hypercoagulable state with high risk of peri- and postoperative thrombotic events. Thrombosis to the tissue flap anastomoses or microcirculation is the main reason for total flap necrosis with potential fatal consequences for the patient. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC), where brief cycles of upper extremity ischemia are induced with an inflatable tourniquet, triggers a global protection of tissues subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury. RIPC has also been shown to impact the coagulation system. AIM: The aim of the trial is to investigate, if RIPC attenuates platelet aggregation during reconstructive head and neck cancer surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with head and neck cancer will be included in the trial. The subjects will be randomized to RIPC or sham during surgery. RIPC is administered by four 5-minute cycles of upper extremity ischemia, each separated by five minutes of reperfusion. Blood samples will be drawn preoperatively, before RIPC/sham, 3 hours after RIPC/ sham, 6 hours after RIPC/sham, and on the first postoperative day. Platelet aggregation will be measured with the Multiplate® analyzer using collagen, ADP and TRAP as agonists. Furthermore, platelet count, mean platelet volume, immature platelet fraction, and von Willebrand factor antigen are determined. RESULTS: The trial is ongoing. Preliminary results will be presented at ICTHIC 2016. CONCLUSIONS: If RIPC proves to attenuate platelet aggregation, it could become a novel antithrombotic treatment in oncologic reconstructive surgery. Hence, morbidity and mortality related to surgery is reduced, and adjuvant oncologic therapy can be initiated in timely fashion.

Outcome of partial mandibular reconstruction with fibula grafts and implant-supported prostheses.

This study sought to evaluate the outcome of patients treated with fibula grafts for partial mandibular reconstruction and implant-supported prosthesis at a Danish university hospital. Patient inclusion criteria were: partial mandibular resection, reconstruction with a fibula graft, and treatment during the period 1998-2011. Patients with incomplete medical records were excluded. Thirty-six patients were included, of whom 16 were treated with an implant-supported prosthesis. Relevant presurgical, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were registered. The fibula graft survival rate at the last follow-up (mean follow-up 22 months, range 0-89 months) was 97%. Half of the patients experienced non-severe complications such as loosening of osteosynthesis material, fistulae, and graft exposure. One of 37 fibula grafts in the 36 patients was removed due to infection. The implant survival rate was 96%; three of 67 implants were lost due to infection. Eight implants were not included in the prosthetic rehabilitation. Fibula graft surgery for mandibular reconstruction was found to be a reliable treatment modality with a high survival rate. Rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses was characterized by high survival rates and few complications. The results obtained are comparable to those of previous studies.