Oral Cancer Reconstruction Research Articles

The submental island flap for reconstruction of intraoral defects in oral cancer patients

The submental artery island flap (SIF) is gaining acceptance as a simple and reliable option in selected oral oncologic reconstructions. The present study aims to assess the usefulness of submental artery flap in oral reconstruction with respect to flap reliability, cosmesis, function, donor site morbidity and oncological safety. Thirty (30) patients who underwent ablative surgery and reconstruction using the submental artery island flap for oral cancer at Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, India, between October 2004 and December 2006 were prospectively studied for the flap viability, cosmesis, function (speech and swallowing) and locoregional recurrence. The site and stage of the tumour, type of resection, management of the neck and the technique of flap transfer were recorded and the patients were followed up to assess the status of the flap and its donor site and the oncologic outcomes. There were 19 men and 11 women, ages of whom ranged from 30 years to 78 years with a mean+/-SD of 53+/-11 years. With the exception of one patient who had undergone neck dissection as part of a previous surgery, all patients underwent neck dissection or at least a level I clearance along with the wide excision of the primary lesion. The follow up period ranged from 4 to 25 months with a median of 13.5 months. Six patients either recurred locoregionally or had metachronous second primary constituting an over all recurrence rate of 20%. The size of the skin paddle ranged from 3 x 3 cm to 7 x 6 cm, with a mean size of 4.9 x 4 cm. One total and one partial flap loss were observed. One patient had intractable hair growth on the flap even 3 months after surgery. Donor site healing was excellent in all cases and the donor site scar was well hidden. The long term cosmesis and functions were good in all the patients. The submental artery island flap is a simple and reliable option for oral cancer reconstruction in carefully selected cases, with acceptable cosmetic and functional results and reasonable oncological safety.

The Association between Surgeon Case Volume and Hospitalization Costs in Free Flap Oral Cancer Reconstruction Operations

Although inverse volume-cost relationships have been reported for many major surgical procedures, such relationships remain unexplored in the field of microsurgery for oral cancer reconstruction. This study therefore was conducted to confirm, or refute, the hypothesis that higher surgeon volume is associated with better economic outcomes in free-flap operations for oral cancer reconstruction. From a population-based data set covering the years 2002 to 2003, the authors selected a total of 2325 oral cancer patients who had undergone free-flap operations. These were then divided into four roughly equivalent surgeon volume groups consisting of less than or equal to 12 cases (low volume), 13 to 29 cases (medium volume), 30 to 65 cases (high volume), and greater than or equal to 66 cases (very high volume). Hierarchical linear regression analysis was subsequently performed to examine the relationship between surgeon case volume and hospitalization costs. The mean hospitalization costs among the 2325 patients were $9879 (all costs are given in U.S. dollars); however, after adjusting for physician, hospital, and patient characteristics, the costs per patient for low-volume surgeons were found to be $995 (p = 0.001) higher than those for high-volume surgeons, and $2138 (p < 0.001) higher than those for very-high-volume surgeons. The difference between medium- and low-volume surgeons was not significant. The authors conclude that after adjusting for physician, hospital, and patient characteristics, low-volume surgeons performing free-flap operations for oral cancer reconstruction incurred significantly higher costs per patient than high-volume or very-high-volume surgeons.

O143 The submental artery island flap for oral cancer reconstruction

O143 The submental artery island flap for oral cancer reconstruction

Morbidity and Cost Differences between Free Flap Reconstruction and Pedicled Flap Reconstruction in Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer: Matched Control Study

To compare morbidity and cost in patients who underwent primary reconstruction with free tissue transfer with those with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) reconstructions after ablation of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Over a 6-year period, 36 patients had PMMF reconstructions and 127 patients had a variety of free flap (FRF) reconstructions after oral and oropharyngeal cancer ablation. Correction for confounding patient and disease variables was performed by matching all PMMF patients to a randomly selected cohort of FRF patients for age, sex, International Union Against Cancer-American Joint Committee on Cancer T category, tumour subsite, and radiotherapy status. This resulted in two groups of 32 patients each, with the flap reconstruction being the only variable. The following outcome variables were analyzed: operative time; blood loss; admission length, including intensive care unit and coronary care unit stay; complications; secondary interventions; readmissions; and feeding status. Cumulative costs of nursing care, hospital supplies and charges, surgeon's fees, and anesthesiologist's fees were calculated. Statistical analysis applied the paired Student's t-test and the chi-square test. Of all morbidity parameters, only operative time was significantly longer for FRF (p < .0001). Analysis of other outcome variables and costs showed no statistically significant differences (p > .05). There is no evidence that morbidity and cost differ between the pedicled flap and free tissue transfer reconstruction strategies, other than lengthier operating room time for FRF.

The rationale of mandible reconstruction in advanced oral cancer: alloplastic material versus autogenous vascularized bone graft

Autogenous vascularized bone grafts in combination with microsurgical techniques have revolutionized mandibular reconstruction in oral cancer surgery. The vascularized bone graft carries its own blood supply, resists infection, and heals rapidly even in the irradiated bed. However, its use in advanced oral cancer patients is controversial due to the gloomy prognosis of these patients. Effective alloplastic materials such as titanium plate or tray for mandibular reconstruction is a reasonable alternative. These can easily be shaped and have sufficient structural rigidity to maintain the mandibular fragments in proper orientation. Likewise, it is a fast and reliable procedure which can obtain good oral function. However, its potential late exposure due to breakdown of overlying skin, especially after radiotherapy, is well documented. This paper discusses our experience to rescue the oral function after alloplastic material failure using the vascularized fibula osteocutaneous flap, in irradiated patients. All fibula osteocutaneous flaps survived. Symmetry and contour of the reconstructed mandible were judged to be good, and patients were able to eat without saliva drooling. Donor-site morbidity was also low. From this clinical study, we believe that in advanced oral cancer, the titanium plate or tray is a useful adjunct for immediate mandibular reconstruction after surgical resection. The vascularized bone graft should be reserved for patients with alloplastic material failure. This rationale can avoid subjecting the patient to an unnecessary extensive mandibular reconstructive procedure.

The sternomastoid island myocutaneous flap for oral cancer reconstruction.

To evaluate the usefulness of the sternomastoid island myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of defects after excision of oral cancer. One hundred eleven superiorly based sternomastoid island myocutaneous flaps were used for one-stage primary reconstruction in 110 consecutive patients with oral cancer during a 53-month period from June 1985 to November 1989. Ninety-eight patients had radiation therapy before surgery. One hundred six flaps were used for mucosal lining of the mouth and six flaps were used for providing skin cover. Flap-related complication developed in 38 patients (34.5%). Total flap loss occurred in eight patients (7.3%). Radical irradiation before surgery significantly increased flap-related complications. Low-molecular-weight dextran did not improve flap survival. After a minimum follow-up of 24 months, nine patients (8.2%) had recurrences in the ipsilateral neck. The flap could easily reach the oral cavity without producing tension on the suture line. The flap also did not produce excessive bulk in the mouth or on the face. In a selected group of patients with a clinically N0 neck, the sternomastoid island myocutaneous flap is oncologically safe and it gives satisfactory cosmetic and functional results with no lasting morbidity.

Free radial forearm flap reconstruction in surgery of the oral cavity and pharynx: surgical complications, impairment of speech and swallowing.

The first 100 consecutive free radial forearm flaps used in reconstruction for oral and pharyngeal cancer were investigated. Seven re-operations took place due to circulatory impairment of the flap. Two flaps underwent partial, and four total necrosis, one of those patients died of massive haemorrhage. Post-operative infection was significantly correlated to increased time between the last radiotherapy session and surgery. All but eight patients had post-operative impairment of swallowing and all but five patients had impairment of speech articulation or hypernasality. Post-operative time spent in hospital was a range of 12-122 days (mean 37 days). The 2-year survival rate was 70% and the 5-year survival rate was 45%.

Reconstruction of tongue and oral floor cancer

Reconstruction of tongue and oral floor cancer

The folded, bipaddled pectoralis major composite flap in oral cancer reconstruction

We report on the pectoralis major composite (musculocutaneous or rib osteomusculocutaneous) flap used in bipaddled fashion for one-stage immediate reconstruction in 53 patients with oral cancer. Of these, 44 patients had lesions of buccal mucosa and lateral lower alveolus, and 9 patients had lesions of floor of mouth and middle third of lower alveolus. In one patient this flap was used as a free composite tissue transfer in bipaddled fashion. The flap can be used either before or after radiotherapy in oral cancer and provides both lining mucosa and skin cover. If necessary, a rib (vascularised bone graft) incorporated with this composite flap can give skeletal support for mandibular arch reconstruction.

Bipaddled, retrograde radial extended forearm flap with microarterial anastomosis for reconstruction in oral cancer

The design of a bipaddled, retrograde, radial artery forearm flap is described. Its utility in providing lining and cover for advanced oral cancer patients in five clinical cases is discussed and evaluated.

Frozen autogenous mandibular stent-graft for immediate reconstruction in oral cancer surgery

<h2>Summary</h2> The severe psychologic trauma and functional loss that follow "Andy Gump" type of resection for oral cancer can be prevented by immediate reconstruction. This is a preliminary report on the use of an autogenous frozen mandibular stent-graft in six patients over the past two years. It has been necessary to remove this replaced mandibular segment in two patients. New bone growth replacing the graft preparation was demonstrated in a reresected mandible in a patient with residual tumor. Persistent infection necessitated removal of the other unsuccessfully implanted mandibular segment. The immediate results of this procedure indicate that the frozen autogenous mandible serves as a very satisfactory stent. Evaluation of this preparation as a satisfactory graft and its ultimate value in reconstruction for oral cancer await long-term evaluation.