• Steven B Cannady, Kyle Hatten, and Mark K Wax.
• Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 800 Walnut Street, 18th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Electronic address: Steven.cannady@uphs.upenn.edu.
• Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2016 Aug 1; 24 (3): 309-14.

AbstractFree tissue transfer is the gold standard for reconstructing head and neck defects. Free flap success approaches 95% in centers with experience, affording unparalleled ability to restore form and function in cancer, trauma, or other major composite tissue loss. It is critical to manage the perioperative variables that predict success; several areas of controversy have not yet reached consensus. This review focuses on postoperative anticoagulation, fluid management, and flap monitoring methods. These areas of controversy potentially influence flap survival. We review published practices considered within the standard of care, why controversy remains, and future directions to reach standardization. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

20 keywords...

hide…