Abstract
Background. Microvascular free flaps continue to revolutionize coverage options in head and neck reconstruction. This article reviews our 25-year experience with omental free tissue transfers. Methods. All patients who underwent free omental transfer to the head and neck region were reviewed. Results. Fifty-five patients were included with omental transfers to the scalp (25%), craniofacial (62%), and neck (13%) region. Indications were tumor resections, burn wound, hemifacial atrophy, trauma, and moyamoya disease. Average follow-up was 3.1 years (range, 2 months-13 years). Donor site morbidities included abdominal wound infection, gastric outlet obstruction, and postoperative bleeding. Recipient site morbidities included partial flap loss in four patients (7%) total flap loss in two patients (3.6%), and three hematomas. Conclusions. The omental free flap has acceptable abdominal morbidity and provides sufficient soft tissue coverage with a 96.4% survival. The thickness and versatility of omentum provide sufficient contour molding for craniofacial reconstruction. It is an attractive alternative for reconstruction of large scalp defects and badly irradiated tissue.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 326-331 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Head and Neck |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Extirpation
- Free flaps
- Head and neck
- Omentum
- Reconstruction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology