What is microvascular free flap surgery?

Microvascular free-tissue transfer is a technique that involves the harvest of the patient’s own soft tissues and/or bone from remote anatomical sites. These flaps, along with their defined vasculature, are then used to reconstruct defects.

What is free flap reconstruction?

What is free flap reconstruction surgery? “Free flap,” also known as “free tissue transfer,” is a term for a procedure in which tissue and its blood supply (artery and vein) are surgically removed from one part of the body and transferred to another area of the body for the purpose of reconstruction.

What is a flap revision?

Revision of a DIEP flap reconstruction involves tightening and adjusting the skin and contouring the underlying fat.

How long does it take to heal from flap surgery?

It can take about 6 to 8 weeks to recover from DIEP flap reconstruction surgery. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a compression girdle for up to 8 weeks after surgery.

How long does a free flap surgery take?

Your head and neck surgeon will remove the tumor from your jaw and the soft tissue around it. At the same time, your plastic surgeon will remove the bone, tissue, and skin from your donor site. This will take 3 to 4 hours.

Does flap surgery hurt?

Most patients experience some discomfort after a flap procedure. Depending on your needs, we may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter medicine. It is important to relax after surgery, as strenuous activity may cause the treated area to bleed.

What is covered by a flap like tissue?

Flaps composed of one type of tissue include skin (cutaneous), fascia, muscle, bone, and visceral (eg, colon, small intestine, omentum) flaps.

Why is flap surgery done?

A flap procedure is often needed to save teeth that are supported by a bone damaged by gum disease. Gum disease usually will come back if you do not brush and floss regularly after surgery. To promote healing, stop all use of tobacco.

What can I eat after flap surgery?

Eggs, custard, yogurt, pasta, steamed vegetables, casseroles, cooked cereals are some things that you might consider eating during the first few days following your surgery. Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, very hot or very cold foods or liquids.

How long does flap surgery take to heal?

What happens after flap surgery?

Typically, it only takes a few days to recover from flap surgery. During this time, eat soft, cool foods such as pudding or gelatin. Propping your head with pillows and applying cold or ice packs can minimize bleeding and help relieve pain and swelling.

How are free flaps used in head and neck reconstruction?

Surgeons now use microvascular free tissue transfer, also known as free flaps, more frequently in head and neck reconstruction than ever before. Thus, an understanding of free flaps, their expected appearance on cross-sectional imaging, and their associated complications (including tumor recurrence) is crucial for the interpreting radiologist.

Which is the most complex form of flap reconstruction?

Free tissue flaps are the most complex and technically challenging form of flap reconstruction. Each free flap is designed and harvested at a spatially distinct site from the primary defect known as the donor or harvest site.

Are there any drawbacks to surgical free flaps?

One drawback is that the thickness of the FF is particularly reflective of a patient’s weight and may prove too bulky for some resection cavities in obese patients due to excessive subcutaneous fat. 5 Rectus abdominis FFs can also be harvested as fasciocutaneous free flaps.

How are surgical flaps different from autograft flaps?

Grafts may be autograft (from the patient), allograft (from a donor, often cadaveric), or alloplastic (man-made). Grafts are typically 1 or 2 tissue types, whereas surgical flaps are often more complex and contain several different tissue constituents.