Analysis of free flaps in head and neck cancer reconstruction

Approximately 107 patients have received free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction since our center opened in April, 2007 (until March, 2010). We examined the relationship between the postoperative complication rate and past history (high blood pressure, diabetes, cerebro-vascular disease, radiation exposure to the head cervix. chemotherapy career and head cervix operation career). The mean patient age was 62.2 years old (range 15 to 90), and there were 77 males (72.0%) and 30 females (28.0%). Among the patients who developed postoperative complications, total necroses occurred in 3 cases (2.8%). In addition to these cases of total necrosis, 8 patients needed a re-operation, 5 of whom received preoperative radiotherapy. Preoperative radiotherapy was related to the development of complications when we performed multiplex logistics analysis. (author)