Influence of biological sex on intra- and postoperative course of microvascular free flap reconstructive surgery in the head and neck region: A retrospective analysis involving 215 patients

Abstract

This retrospective study investigates differences in peri-/postoperative complications/outcomes of head and neck microvascular free flap reconstructions between female (FFP) and male flap patients (MFP).Evaluated variables: biological sex, age, ASA status, tumor type, preoperative radiation/chemotherapy, medical comorbidities; flap type, reconstruction (primary/secondary), operative time; length of stay on ICU, prolonged stay on ICU and its reasons, length of hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization and its reasons; flap success, revisions, overall complications, mortality.N = 215 patients (86 FFP; 129 MFP) were included. MFP exhibited higher nicotine abuse (P < .001), received more large-volume flaps (P < .001), and operative time was longer (P = .013). Sex had no influence on postoperative and outcome variables.Biological sex has no influence on the postoperative course following head and neck microsurgical free flap reconstructions.