Fibula Free Flap Reconstruction of Cervical Spine Defects: A Multi-Institutional Study.

Introduction: Cervical spine defects result in spinal instability, putting the spinal cord and vertebral arteries at risk of damage and possibly devastating neurological injuries. The fibula free flap can span the spinal defects for stability. There is a paucity of literature on this technique.

Beta-defensin index: A functional biomarker for oral cancer detection.

There is an unmet clinical need for a non-invasive and cost-effective test for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) that informs clinicians when a biopsy is warranted. Human beta-defensin 3 (hBD-3), an epithelial cell-derived anti-microbial peptide, is pro-tumorigenic and overexpressed in early-stage OSCC compared to hBD-2. We validate this expression dichotomy in carcinoma in situ and OSCC lesions using immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.

The effect of transfusion on survival in head and neck cancer after free tissue reconstruction.

Objective: To examine if perioperative blood transfusion affects overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in head and neck cancer patients who undergo free tissue reconstruction.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The medical records of free tissue flaps between 2007 and 2010 were reviewed.

Free Flap Donor Sites in Head and Neck Reconstruction.

Microvascular free tissue transfer, also referred to as free flaps surgery, is a reconstructive technique that has become a foundational component of complex head and neck reconstruction. There have been considerable advancements in the field over the last 30 years including the number and variety of free flaps. Each of these free flaps has unique characteristics that must be considered for the defect when selecting a donor site.