The fate of the free flap pedicle after free tissue transfer to the head and neck area

Little is known about which long-term changes the vascular pedicle undergoes following free tissue transfer in the head and neck region. Pedicle patency in free flaps to other anatomical areas like the trunk and the extremities has been described in the literature. Machens et al. reported persistence of pedicle blood flow up to 10years in 40 reconstructions with latissumus dorsi myocutaneous free flaps used for posttraumatic soft tissue defects of the lower leg [1]. Salmi et al. examined 16 patients receiving latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis and gracilis muscle free flaps for posttraumatic reconstruction in the upper and lower extremities.

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