Objective: To review 204 consecutive free flap transfers for head and neck reconstruction in the new microsurgery unit.
Methods: Two hundred and four consecutive free flap transfers performed in 192 patients form May 1999 to March 2001 were reviewed. The clinical data included the surgery date, defect description and site, stage and histology of the tumor, type of the flap used and complications.
Results: The free redial forearm flap was the most commonly used, followed by the free fibula flap, rectus abdominis flap, iliac crest flap, and latissimus dorsi flap. The overall success rate was 98.5%. The overall complication rate was 29.7%. The vessel thrombosis rate was 5.4%, and the flap salvage rate was 72.7%.
Conclusion: Free tissue transfer in the head and neck region is safe and reliable. It is superior to the conventional pedicle flap technique.