Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer to the Head and Neck Reconstruction

Abstract

Between December,1987 and December,1990, we performed 27 microvascular reconstructions with free flaps and jejunums to the head and neck. All patients had a malignant tumor. Three flaps failed due to venous obstruction, thus the overall survival rate was 88.9%. In the cases of primary reconstruction, the survival rate was 92.3%, whereas in secondary cases the survival rate dropped to 85.7%.
Therefore, microvascular tissue transfer is a safe and suitable procedure of head and neck reconstruction and is also helpful in maintaining both speaking and swallowing functions.