Clinical outcomes for microvascular reconstruction in oral cancers: experience from a single surgical centre.

[INTRODUCTION] Reconstruction of a surgical defect is an important part of the management of oral cancers. Microvascular free flap construction provides better functional and cosmetic outcomes.

[METHODS] Between 2014 and 2020, some 524 patients underwent microvascular reconstruction. Comorbidity variables were scored using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Complications were recorded using Clavien-Dindo criteria.

[RESULTS] Eighty-three (15.84%), 339 (64.69%) and 102 (19.47%) patients underwent free radial forearm flap, free anterolateral thigh flap and free fibula osteocutaneous flap (FFOCF), respectively. Clavien-Dindo complications of grade III and above were seen in 39 (7.44%) patients. Total flap loss was seen in 18 patients and of these, 16 were salvaged using alternative free flaps or pedicled flaps. On univariate analysis, overall and major complication rates were higher in FFOCF (=0.171). Major complications significantly more common in patients with a CCI score >4 (=0.001). Patients aged >65 years had higher rates of complications (=0.03).

[CONCLUSION] Microvascular free tissue transfer is a reliable, safe and gold standard modality in surgical reconstruction and can be replicated in non-institutional settings.