Donor-site morbidity and aesthetic outcomes in patients undergoing head and neck reconstruction with anterolateral thigh or latissimus dorsi flaps: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yuting Wang , Chun Liang , Quanquan Lin , Lin Feng , Libo Luo , Haoran Jia , Joseph Y. Zhang , Maria J. Troulis , Qing Xi , Youbai Chen
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Anterolateral thigh (ALT) and latissimus dorsi (LAT) flaps are workhorse flaps for head and neck reconstruction. However, evidence showing how donor-site morbidity (DSM) compares between these flaps is lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates DSM and aesthetic outcomes with ALT and LAT flaps for head and neck reconstruction.
Methods
We reviewed articles identified in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Scale. We performed a meta-analysis using fixed- and random-effects models to estimate the incidences of different DSM and dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcome. These pooled incidences were compared between the ALT and LAT groups using Fisher exact test.
Results
We identified 82 studies including a total of 4436 patients who underwent reconstruction with an ALT flap (n = 3689) or LAT flap (n = 747). In the ALT flap group, the most prevalent DSM was paresthesia (21.2 %), followed by movement dysfunction (4.0 %), and poor wound healing (3.9 %). In the LAT group, the most prevalent DSM was hematoma (10.3 %), followed by movement dysfunction (10.1 %) and poor wound healing (8.6 %). The incidences of dissatisfaction with donor site appearance were 6.3 % in the ALT flap group and 2.4 % in the LAT flap group. Intergroup comparison of these DSM showed no statistically significant differences except a higher rate of donor site hematoma in the LAT flap (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The results of this meta-analysis suggest that LAT flaps have higher risk of hematoma/seroma and both flaps provide acceptable donor-site aesthetics. Additional well-designed prospective clinical studies are needed to enhance our understanding of DSM with large myocutaneous flaps in the setting of head and neck reconstruction.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery publishes articles covering all aspects of surgery of the head, face and jaw. Specific topics covered recently have included:
• Distraction osteogenesis
• Synthetic bone substitutes
• Fibroblast growth factors
• Fetal wound healing
• Skull base surgery
• Computer-assisted surgery
• Vascularized bone grafts