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Lookup NU author(s): Sophia Stavrakakis, Neil McLean, Peter Hodgkinson, Dr Charles Kelly
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A histological study of both recipient and flap vessels was performed in 30 patients with head and neck cancer, and relevant preoperative risk factors were assessed. A total of 35 free flaps were transferred in 30 patients; 16 patients had preoperative radiotherapy, 13 were smokers, eight had hypertension and six had peripheral vascular disease. No significant venous pathology was found in either the flap or the neck veins. However, over two-thirds of the neck arteries and one-half of the flap arteries were found to have microscopic arterial pathology. The only pre-existing factor significantly influencing vessel pathology was hypertension (P = 0.007). All flaps survived, although in two there was some loss of the skin paddle. This study reveals that the majority of patients undergoing microsurgery in the head and neck region have pre-existing arterial damage in both the flap and the recipient arteries, but this does not have a significant effect on the overall patency of the microvascular anastomoses. © 2003 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Stavrianos SD, McLean NR, Fellows S, Hodgkinson PD, Kostaki A, Kelly CG, Soames JV
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Journal of Plastic Surgery
Year: 2003
Volume: 56
Issue: 2
Pages: 140-144
Print publication date: 01/01/2003
ISSN (print): 0007-1226
ISSN (electronic): 1532-1959
Publisher: Churchill Livingstone
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0007-1226(03)00024-9
DOI: 10.1016/S0007-1226(03)00024-9
PubMed id: 12791358
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