Pediatric Free Flaps: Indications, Considerations, and Follow-up.

Free tissue transfer is a very effective reconstructive technique for challenging defects of the head and neck and in many cases the gold standard for congenital facial paralyses and composite defects. Although its use in the pediatric population is not new and the success rates are comparable to those in adults, there is still a lack of information about its applications in children. This study aims to review the indications for use and discuss the anatomic considerations that may influence surgical complexity and long-term outcomes in the developing craniofacial skeleton.

Free Flap Outcomes for Head and Neck Surgery in Patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the vascular system, subjecting patients to a hypercoagulable state. This is of particular concern for the success of microvascular free flap reconstruction. This study aims to report head and neck free flap complications in patients with COVID-19 during the perioperative period.

Interpreting Lower Trapezius Musculocutaneous Flap Skin Paddle Perfusion with Indocyanine Green Angiography.

The lower trapezius myocutaneous flap (LTF) is a pedicled flap with clinically significant variability of distal skin flap perfusion. To compare the incidence of partial flap necrosis before and after the institution of routine intraoperative laser-assisted indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. This is a retrospective review of all LTF performed between November 2021 and July 2022.

Impact of smoking on donor site following rectus flap harvest for head and neck reconstruction.

Objectives: The rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap has been widely used as a reconstructive option in head and neck reconstruction with great success. Challenging the popular assumption, this study sought to examine the effects of smoking on donor site complications in this population.

Methods: Multi-institution retrospective study of 103 patients (50 active smokers, 28 former and 25 never smoked).

Analysis of vein grafting versus arteriovenous loop in microvascular head and neck reconstruction: Multicenter series of 36 patients.

Background: The utilization of an arteriovenous loop is an underreported technique that affords the creation of reliable vascular options. Understanding the efficacy and impacting variables of microvascular reconstruction with an arteriovenous loop can be critical to its use.

Methods: Multi-institutional study of 36 patients who underwent vein grafting or AV loop with free tissue transfer.

Management of Palatal Defects after Free-Flap Reconstruction and Radiotherapy.

Palatal fistulas have significant effects on quality of life. Traditional prosthetic rehabilitation and surgical reconstruction of palate defects in radiation-naïve tissues are well described. However, palatal fistulas developing after initial tumor extirpation, free-flap reconstruction, and adjuvant radiation or chemoradiation are associated with challenging secondary tissue effects.

Does Bulky Adenopathy in Human Papilloma Virus-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Require a Planned Post-Treatment Neck Dissection for Occult Residual Disease?

Purpose: A planned neck dissection was traditionally considered for a large nodal disease after definitive chemoradiation, yet controversy exists for the human papilloma virus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV OPSCC). We aimed to measure the frequency of persistent occult neck disease in planned neck dissection for HPV OPSCC presenting with a large (≥3.0 cm) nodal burden.

Surgical Management of Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Head and Neck.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to highlight risk factors and surgeries for necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of the head and neck in the literature. NF is rare but can rapidly progress.

Materials And Methods: A literature search was done using PubMed and SCOPUS.

Success and Outcomes Following a Second Salvage Attempt for Free Flap Compromise in Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Reconstruction.

Importance: Incidence of perioperative free flap compromise is low, with successful salvage in up to 70%. When the flap is compromised a second time, the value of intervening is unknown.

Objective: To assess the outcomes of a second revascularization attempt for compromised free flaps.

Orthognathic Surgery-LeFort I Osteotomy.

Orthognathic surgery is a complex type of facial surgery that can have a profound impact on a patient's occlusal function and facial aesthetics. Close collaboration between the maxillofacial surgeon and an orthodontist is required, and the surgical team must have a strong foundation in facial analysis and firm understanding of the maxillofacial skeleton to achieve surgical success. Herein, we review the maxillary LeFort I osteotomy as it pertains to orthognathic surgery, with particular attention to the indications, contraindications, preoperative assessment, surgical technique, and possible complications encountered.

Cranioplasty.

Calvarial defects are commonly encountered after neurosurgical procedures, trauma, and ablative procedures of advanced head neck cancers. The goals of cranioplasty are to provide a protective barrier for the intracranial contents, to restore form, and prevent syndrome of the trephined. Autologous and alloplastic techniques are available, each with their advantages and drawbacks.

Bony Orbital Surgery for Graves' Ophthalmopathy.

The majority of Graves' ophthalmopathy, or thyroid eye disease, can be managed medically; however, in refractory or severe cases, surgical intervention with orbital decompression may be necessary. The majority of the published literature is retrospective in nature, and there is no standardized approach to orbital decompression. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the various surgical approaches and techniques for orbital decompression.

Jaw in a Day: Immediate Dental Rehabilitation during Fibula Reconstruction of the Mandible.

Reconstructing mandibular defects presents challenges to dental rehabilitation related to altered bone and soft tissue anatomy. Dental implants are the most reliable method to restore the lost dentition. Immediate dental implants have been placed for many years but with unacceptably low rates of dental/prosthetic success.

Implantable Doppler Removal After Free Flap Monitoring Among Head and Neck Microvascular Surgeons.

Objective: Investigate current practice patterns of head and neck microvascular reconstructive surgeons when removing an implantable Doppler after free flap surgery.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey study.

Methods: Survey distributed to head and neck microvascular reconstructive surgeons.

Maxillofacial Bony Considerations in Facial Transplantation.

Alloplastic facial transplantation has become a new rung on the proverbial reconstructive ladder for severe facial wounds in the past couple of decades. Since the first transfer including bony components in 2006, numerous facial allotransplantations across many countries have been successfully performed, many incorporating multiple bony elements of the face. There are many unique considerations to facial transplantation of bone, however, beyond the considerations of simple soft tissue transfer.

Reconstruction of the Mandibular Condyle.

The mandibular condyle is an integral structure in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) serving not only as the hinge point for mandibular opening, but also facilitating mandibular growth and contributing to facial aesthetics. Significant compromise of the TMJ can be debilitating functionally, psychologically, and aesthetically. Reconstruction of the mandibular condyle is rarely straightforward.

Pilot Study of External Beam Radiotherapy for Recurrent Unremitting Tracheal Stenosis.

Objective: Tracheal stenosis can have a variety of presentations, severities, causes, and be a difficult condition to treat. Some patients demonstrate recurrent stenosis after multiple endoscopic treatments and are either poor candidates for open procedures or do not desire open surgery. We sought to evaluate low-dose postoperative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) as a novel therapy for patients with recurrent tracheal stenosis refractory to endoscopic therapies.

Considerations in Free Flap Reconstruction of the Midface.

Midface reconstruction has been a consistent challenge for reconstructive surgeons even with the significant advances in technology and technique achieved over the recent years. A meticulous preoperative assessment of the patient is required to properly assess the defect or anticipated defect, determine proper reconstructive surgical plan, and discuss expected functional and aesthetic outcomes with the patient. For years we have employed local flaps, regional flaps, obturators, alloplastic implants, free flaps, or a combination of the previously mentioned techniques to address complex midface reconstruction.

Facial Protection to Prevent Facial Trauma and Allow for Optimal Protection after Facial Fracture Repair.

Facial skeletal fractures continue to affect humankind, and many methods to alleviate and prevent the injuries outright have been sought after. Prevention is desired, but the implementation and general compliance may contribute to missed opportunities to decrease the burden of facial skeletal trauma. In this article, we explore the preventative as well as postoperative options for the protection of the facial skeleton.

Rugby-related adult maxillofacial trauma injuries: a NEISS database study.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to delineate the data on maxillofacial trauma in rugby utilizing the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database. Specifically, we want to establish the prevalence of facial rugby injuries in terms of age, mechanism of injury, and degree of injury in order to develop ways to limit facial trauma in the future.

Methods: The NEISS database was accessed in February 2020 in order to identify adult patients (> 19 years of age) presenting to the emergence department (ED) for rugby-related head and facial injuries from the previous 10 years (2009-2018).