Role of computed tomography angiography in the diagnosis of vascular stenosis in head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of vascular stenosis at the vascular pedicle of head and neck microvascular free flaps. A prospective study was done of 65 consecutive patients (49 male, 16 female; mean age 55 years) who had undergone head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction. All patients underwent 64-slice CTA of the carotid artery. Post-processing with volume rendering reconstruction of CTA images was done. There was excellent inter-observer agreement (weighted kappa = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74–0.93) in grading of the degree of vascular stenosis. The true sensitivity of CTA for diagnosis of stenosis of the vascular pedicle to the flap was 63% (95% CI 63–100%). Patients with failed flaps showed complete occlusion (n = 2) on CTA and underwent a replacement flap procedure. Patients with failing flaps showed severe stenosis (n = 6) of the vascular pedicle on CTA and underwent revision surgery. There was no change in the degree of stenosis on follow-up CTA for patients with moderate stenosis (n = 9). CTA is a reliable, non-invasive, high-quality imaging tool for the diagnosis and grading of vascular stenosis of the vascular pedicle of head and neck microvascular free flaps.     

游离大腿前外侧皮瓣修复头颈部缺损的初步观察

目的探讨游离大腿前外侧皮瓣在头颈部缺损修复中的应用。方法回顾研究2002年1月至2006年1月完成的22例游离大腿前外侧皮瓣移植。分析采用组织瓣的设计、穿支血管的数目和类型、受区血管、血管吻合方式和技术、游离瓣成活情况及术后并发症，并分析有可能影响组织瓣成活的各种因素。结果22例中，皮瓣面积（7cm×5cm）～（16cm×8cm），平均11．1cm×6．9cm，除4块皮瓣携带2个穿支外，其余18块皮瓣均携带1个穿支。26个穿支中，20个为肌皮穿支，另外6个为隔皮穿支。1例游离瓣术后48h出现静脉危象，经抢救未成功后去除皮瓣。其余皮瓣术中、术后均未出现血管危象，并且全部成活。所有供区均直接拉拢缝合，除1例供区术后创口感染致二期愈合外，其余供区均一期愈合。结论游离大腿前外侧皮瓣克服了传统的前臂皮瓣和腹直肌皮瓣的缺点，在头颈部缺损的修复中具有较大的灵活性，值得进一步应用和观察。     

颞浅动脉及静脉作为头颈部游离瓣移植受区血管的可靠性探讨

目的 探讨颞浅动、静脉作为头颈部游离瓣移植受区血管的可靠性和应用价值.方法2001年5月至2008年6月采用颞部血管作为受区血管的头颈部游离瓣移植25例,分析游离瓣的受区血管、术中及术后的血管危象及游离瓣的成活情况.结果 25例患者中,23块游离瓣采用颞浅静脉作为受区静脉,2例采用颞深静脉作为受区静脉,全部游离瓣均采用颞浅动脉作为受区动脉.全部游离瓣术后均未出现血管危象,游离瓣均获成活.结论本组结果表明,颞浅动、静脉是头颈部游离瓣移植可靠的受区血管.     

Complications and outcome after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck

We retrospectively studied 136 patients who had free flap reconstruction for cancer of the head and neck at a single centre (2008–2015) to evaluate complications, assess factors associated with them, and analyse their impact on outcome. Preoperative and perioperative data, and surgical and medical complications were recorded, and the impact of the complications on duration of hospital stay and survival were assessed. A total of 86 (63%) patients had complications. Compared with those who did not, they had a higher rate of alcohol abuse (21/86, compared with 5/50, p = 0.039), longer operations (median (IQR) 565 (458–653 compared with 479 (418–556) minutes, p < 0.001), and greater intraoperative loss of blood (725 (400–1150) compared with 525 (300–800) ml, p = 0.042). Complications were more common in patients who had fibular flaps and T4 disease (22/86 compared with 4/50, p = 0.010; 47/80 compared with 16/47, p = 0.015, respectively). Those who had complications also stayed in hospital longer (median (IQR) 9 (7–12) compared with 15 (10–21) days, p < 0.001). Cumulative mortality was higher in patients with late complications (those that occurred after the fourth postoperative day) (61% compared with 36%, p = 0.004). In conclusion, complications in more than half the patients were related to alcohol abuse, a more complicated intraoperative course, and fibular flaps. Complications were associated with a longer hospital stay, and survival was higher in those who did not have late complications than in those who did.     

对提高头颈部游离组织瓣移植成功率的探讨

目的：探讨如何提高头颈部游离组织瓣移植的成功率。方法：2004年1月至2004年12月间，由同一手术小组完成的连续194例患者的200块游离组织瓣移植．分析所采用组织瓣的类型、受区血管、游离瓣成活情况及术后并发症的发生情况，并探讨提高游离瓣可靠性的重要环节。结果：本组共采用7种游离瓣，包括腓骨瓣、前臂皮瓣、大腿前外侧皮瓣、空肠瓣、腹直肌皮瓣、肩胛瓣和背阔肌皮瓣。游离瓣的临床成功率为99．5％，术后血管危象的发生率为2％，抢救成功率为75％：受区和供区总并发症发生率为24．2％。结论：合理选择游离瓣、熟练的游离瓣制备技术、选择理想的受区血管、简化实用的血管吻合技术及游离瓣术后的有效监测，是提高头颈部游离瓣移植成功率的重要环节。如果各个环节处理得当。头颈部游离组织瓣移植的成功率应当接近100％。     

游离腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣修复头颈部缺损的初步研究

目的 探讨游离腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣在头颈部缺损修复中的应用.方法 2010年4月至2011年1月16例患者头颈部肿瘤切除后拟用游离腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣修复组织缺损,术前采用超声多普勒血流仪或彩色多普勒超声检测穿支血管,设计皮瓣,术中记录皮瓣大小、穿支血管的数目和血管蒂长度,术后观察游离瓣成活情况,随访记录供区愈合情况及评价术后并发症.结果 最终完成游离腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣修复16例,15例皮瓣术后成活,1例术后因静脉危象手术探查后皮瓣部分存活.供区15例直接缝合,1例植皮.15例供区Ⅰ期愈合,1例因术后供区肌肉坏死行清创手术后愈合.14例术后随访3～ 12个月,所有患者供区除因瘢痕致远端皮肤触觉异常外,远期无明显功能障碍.结论 游离腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣供区并发症轻微,适用头颈部中小型缺损修复.     

Unscheduled return to the operating theatre after head and neck surgery with free flap repair

The purpose of this study was to benchmark the unscheduled postoperative return to theatre rate (URTT) of patients undergoing head and neck surgery with free tissue transfer in a UK setting, and identify opportunities for quality improvement. Between August 2009 and June 2019, data on 1000 patients undergoing surgery in a single institution were prospectively assembled, and the electronic healthcare records of all patients scrutinised to obtain data on putative predictive factors. Categorical factors were analysed with the chi squared test, and continuous variables with the t test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictive variables and to determine the predictive value of the final model. Of the 1000 patients 26.5% had one or more URTT, and 4.6% experienced flap failure with a 1% perioperative mortality. Failure of primary healing at the flap to mucosal interface with leakage of whole saliva into the neck wound was the single most prevalent problem (15.4%) followed by flap salvage procedures (7.4%). Independent predictive variables of URTT were perioperative transfusion, duration of procedure, requirement for tracheostomy, and previous radiotherapy to the head and neck. The C-index was weak (0.61) for this model. URTT substantially increased the duration of hospital stay. It is a poor experience for patients, and is associated with increased healthcare costs. It potentially disrupts the flow of care to other patients, and may be associated with a delay to required adjuvant therapy. Quality improvement initiatives should focus on optimising the probability of primary healing at the flap to mucosal interface, and reducing the number of flap salvage procedures.     

Volumetric analysis of root fillings using spiral computed tomography: an in vitro study

Aim  To analyse volumetrically using spiral computed tomography (SCT) the efficacy of various techniques to fill root canals.
Methodology  Root canals in 40 maxillary central incisors were instrumented with K-files to size 60 and the volume of the canal measured using SCT. The teeth were divided into four groups of 10 each and root filled by lateral compaction, Thermafil, Obtura II and System B techniques, respectively. AH plus was used as sealer with all techniques. The filled volume in each canal was measured using SCT and the percentage of obturated volume (POV) was calculated. The data were statistically analysed using Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U -test.
Results  The four groups were comparable in canal volume. The overall POV was 80.4%, 93.3%, 84.8% and 93.7% for lateral compaction, Thermafil, Obtura II and System B, respectively ( P  < 0.05).
Conclusion  The greatest POV was obtained with System B and Thermafil. Voids were seen in all root fillings.     

Outcomes of free flap reconstructive surgery in head and neck cancer patients over 80-years old

An increasing elderly population in the United Kingdom has led to an increasing number of older patients with head and neck cancer, resulting in a greater demand for complex head and neck reconstructive surgery in this potentially high-risk age group. A possible perceived poorer tolerance to such major treatment risks under-treating some of these patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes in the elderly population (older than 80 years) who had undergone free flap reconstruction following head and neck cancer resection. A retrospective review of 127 patients was performed. Eighteen patients were 80 or older (14.2%) and 109 under 80 (85.8%). The elderly group experienced increased number of postoperative medical complications (p = 0.01), but the surgical complications were not significantly different in the two groups (p = 0.4). The average length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the older group (p = 0.01). There was one flap failure during the study period, which belonged to the younger group of patients. Elderly patients undergoing free flap reconstruction experience an increased rate of postoperative medical complications resulting in an increased length of hospital stay. However, good surgical outcomes can still be achieved in this age group, and therefore age alone should not be considered as a primary factor in head and neck cancer management.     

Does anticoagulation improve outcomes of microvascular free flap reconstruction following head and neck surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The commonest cause of microvascular free flap failure is thrombosis at the anastomosis. Pharmacological antithrombotic therapies have been used to mitigate this risk, but they carry the risk of bleeding and haematoma formation. To justify any intervention, it is necessary to evaluate the benefits and balance of risks. This meta-analysis aims to quantify the value of systemic anticoagulation during head and neck free tissue reconstruction. We performed a systematic review on the impact of additional prophylactic antithrombotic therapy on head and neck (H&N) free tissue transfer (on top and above the use of low molecular weight heparin to prevent deep vein thrombosis). We carried a PRISMA-guided literature review, following registration with PROSPERO. All studies analysing the possible impact of prophylactic anticoagulants on free flap surgery in the head and neck were eligible. The primary outcome was perioperative free flap complications (perioperative thrombosis, partial or total free flap failure, thrombo-embolic events, or re-exploration of anastomosis). Secondary outcomes included haematoma formation or bleeding complications requiring further intervention. We identified eight eligible studies out of 454. These included 3531 free flaps for H&N reconstruction. None of the assessed interventions demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in free flap outcomes. Accumulative analysis of all anti-coagulated groups demonstrated an increased relative risk of free flap complications [RR 1.54 (0.73–3.23)] compared to control albeit not statistically significant (p = 0.25). Pooled analysis from the included studies showed that the prophylactic use of therapeutic doses of anticoagulants significantly (p = 0.003) increased the risk of haematoma and bleeding requiring intervention [RR 2.98 (1.47-6.07)], without reducing the risk of free flap failure. Additional anticoagulation does not reduce the incidence of free flap thrombosis and failure. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) consistently increased the risk of free flap complications. The use of additional anticoagulation as ‘prophylaxis’ in the perioperative setting, increases the risk of haematoma and bleeding.     

Comparison of outcome of microvascular bony head and neck reconstructions using the fibular free flap and the iliac crest flap

Several microvascular free flaps are available for reconstruction of the osseous components after resections for head and neck cancer. We have prospectively evaluated patients treated by bony microsurgical reconstruction to identify predictors of adverse outcomes for delayed wound healing and failure of free flaps. All patients from July 2007 to June 2011 who had reconstructions with microvascular fibular or iliac crest flaps immediately after resection of the tumour were evaluated. There were a total of 156 bony free flaps: 120 (77%) fibular and 36 (23%) iliac crest flaps. A total of 133 (85%) were successful. Delayed wound healing was more common with the iliac crest flap (p = 0.01) at the intraoral site (p = 0.04). Significantly more iliac crest free flaps failed (p = 0.02). Anastomosis to the facial artery (p = 0.05) and facial vein (p = 0.04), and duration of overall operating time were associated with a significantly higher risk of failure of the flap. Patients with cancer of the head and neck who require microsurgical bony reconstruction are at increased risk of postoperative complications. Significantly more complications were found with the iliac crest flap, whereas the fibular flap was associated with a significantly longer operating time.     

头颈外科二次游离重建受区血管选择：10年经验总结

目的：总结对头颈部进行二次游离重建受区血管的选择策略。方法：回顾分析2009年9月—2019年9月间中国医科大学附属口腔医院口腔颌面-头颈外科22例恶性肿瘤术后患者采用游离皮瓣二次重建头颈部缺损的经验,统计术中使用的受区血管、解剖时间以及吻合区与缺损区的距离等相关数据。结果：22例患者中,受区血管采用同侧颈部血管19例,其中颈横血管13例,颞浅血管3例,甲状腺上动脉+颈内静脉2例,面动脉+颈外、颈内静脉1例,对侧颈部血管3例,包括面动脉+颈内静脉2例,面动脉+颈内、颈外静脉1例。所有皮瓣完全成活且无明显并发症。结论：对于头颈外科术后需要二次游离皮瓣重建的病例,可首选颈横血管或颞浅血管作为受区血管。若两者不可用时,可打开未进行过手术的对侧颈部寻找理想受区血管;当对侧颈部也实施过颈淋巴清扫术和（或）放疗而无可用血管时,仔细探查同侧颈部解剖条件较好的血管以备吻合;而头静脉转位、静脉移植、乳内血管或胸肩峰血管等可作为最后的补救措施。     

Postoperative complications after major head and neck surgery with free flap repair—prevalence,patterns, and determinants: a prospective cohort study

This study aims to give a better understanding of the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of postoperative complications, to evaluate the Clavien–Dindo classification of surgical complications, and to set out a protocol to improve postoperative recovery. Over a period of 27 months we studied 192 patients who had had major head and neck operations with free flaps. Data on complications were gathered prospectively along with patients’ details, comorbidities, factors indicative of the magnitude of the surgical insult, and variations in perioperative care. Complications were classified according to the Clavien–Dindo system. Outcomes analysed comprised any complication, major complications (Clavien–Dindo III and above), wound complications, and pulmonary complications. A total of 64% of patients had complications, and in around one third they were serious; wound and pulmonary complications were the most common. Factors significantly associated with complications reflected an interaction between coexisting conditions of the patient at operation and the magnitude of the surgery. Perioperative interventions to ensure preoperative optimisation of patients, and to lessen the systemic inflammatory response that results from operation offer the best prospect of reducing the burden of surgical complications. A protocol to improve recovery after operation would be appropriate. The Clavien–Dindo classification of surgical complications is useful in this group.     

游离腓骨肌皮瓣及CT血管造影术在下颌骨缺损重建中的应用

目的:探讨游离腓骨肌皮瓣及CT血管造影(CTA)技术在重建下颌骨缺损中应用。方法:10例下颌骨术后缺损拟行游离腓骨肌皮瓣重建,术前常规行下肢CTA检查,重建钛板预成形,进行游离腓骨肌皮瓣下颌骨重建。结果:术前CTA检查顺利,10例中1例胫后动脉缺如,腓动脉代替胫后动脉,放弃腓骨肌皮瓣重建。9例游离腓骨肌皮瓣均成活(成功率100%),下颌骨外形及功能满意。结论:腓骨肌皮瓣可提供足够软、硬组织量,是下颌骨复合缺损修复的较好供体;CTA技术在游离腓骨肌皮瓣重建下颌骨缺损术前供区评价选择、手术设计等方面具有很好的应用价值。     

Prelamination of the latissimus dorsi flap for reconstruction in head and neck surgery

Free microsurgical tissue transfer of the latissimus dorsi flap may be indicated for the restoration of intra- and extraoral defects, especially when a large-sized skin island flap is required. In many cases, use of the latissimus dorsi flap for coverage of large-sized intraoral defects results in bulkiness due to the proportion of subcutaneous fat. Prelamination of free flaps appears to be a promising technique to overcome this flap bulkiness. This modification in flap design could improve the postoperative functional outcome, as well as reduce donor site morbidity. This article presents four novel clinical cases, in which the patients underwent prelamination of the latissimus dorsi flap with local skin grafts during oral cancer treatment in order to reduce the thickness of the free flap and allow tension-free primary closure of the donor site. These attempts successfully covered large-sized intraoral defects, achieving good functional outcomes with minimal donor site morbidity.     

螺旋CT辅助下埋伏牙的诊断和治疗设计

目的：应用螺旋CT三维重建对埋伏牙进行诊断以及制定治疗计划。方法：对18例患者共32颗全颌曲面断层难以定位的埋伏牙病例进行螺旋CT扫描,应用MPR、SSD和MIP技术形成三维重建影像,结合临床检查确立诊断和制定治疗计划。结果：螺旋CT三维重建能够提供埋伏牙的三维信息,包括位置、形态、萌出方向以及与邻牙的关系,18例患者通过三维影像信息帮助确立诊断和制定治疗计划,达到预期的效果。结论：CT三维重建影像能精确反映埋伏牙在颌骨内的位置以及与邻牙的位置关系,利于临床诊断和治疗方案的制定。     

Cortical bone resorption of fibular bone after maxillary reconstruction with a vascularized fibula free flap: a computed tomography imaging study

This study was performed to evaluate the cortical bone resorption of fibular bone after maxillary reconstruction with a fibula free flap. A total of 35 patients with maxillary defects that were repaired using a fibula flap (62 fibula segments) between January 2011 and January 2016 were enrolled. Computed tomography (CT) images taken 1 week and 1 year postoperative were used to evaluate cortical bone resorption. The 62 fibula segments were measured on four different surfaces in the CT images. At 1 week, the thickness of the cortical bone was 2.57 ± 0.58 mm, 2.72 ± 0.46 mm, 3.84 ± 0.98 mm, and 4.36 ± 0.90 mm for the exterior, interior, superior, and inferior sides, respectively. At approximately 1 year, the cortical bone thickness was significantly reduced to 2.00 ± 0.65 mm (P < 0.01), 2.25 ± 0.60 mm (P < 0.01), 3.37 ± 0.90 mm (P < 0.01), and 2.96 ± 0.84 mm (P < 0.01) for the exterior, interior, superior, and inferior sides, respectively. The cortical bone thickness of fibular bone is significantly reduced 1 year after the restoration of maxillary defects with a fibula free flap, most significantly on the inferior side.