Reconstruction of defects in the head and neck with free flaps: 20 years experience

Between March 1982 and December 2002 we did a total of 534 reconstructions with free flaps from various donor sites for 529 patients. The jejunum was the donor site in 181 reconstructions (34%), followed by the radial forearm flap in 173 reconstructions (32%); 86% of the reconstructions were immediately after excisions. Surgical re-exploration was necessary in 37 patients (7%); the failure rate from necrosis of the flap was 5%. Factors associated with complications were American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class and age.