HEALTH-AFFAIRS

Volume 12 Issue 4

Free Flaps for Skin and Soft Tissue Reconstruction in the Elderly Patient: Indication or Contraindication

Heiko Sorg,Christian G. G. Sorg,Daniel J. Tilkorn,Simon Thönnes,Rees Karimo andJörg Hauser
 
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Marien Hospital Witten, Marienplatz 2, 58452 Witten, Germany
2Department of Health, University of Witten/Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Str. 50, 58455 Witten, Germany
3Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Management, Economics and Society, University of Witten/Herdecke, 58455 Witten, Germany
4Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Hellweg 100, 45276 Essen, Germany
 
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
 
These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract

Background: Increased lifespan and the improvement of medical treatment have given rise to research in reconstructive procedures in elderly patients. Higher postoperative complication rates, longer rehabilitation, and surgical difficulties remain a problem in the elderly. We asked whether a free flap in elderly patients is an indication or a contraindication and performed a retrospective, monocentric study. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups (YOUNG 0–59 years; OLD > 60 years). The endpoint was the survival of flaps and their dependence on patient- and surgery-specific parameters using multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 110 patients (OLD n = 59) underwent 129 flaps. The chance of flap loss increased as soon as two flaps were performed in one surgery. Anterior lateral thigh flaps had the highest chance for flap survival. Compared with the lower extremity, the head/neck/trunk group had a significantly increased chance of flap loss. There was a significant increase in the odds of flap loss in linear relation to the administration of erythrocyte concentrates. Conclusion: The results confirm that free flap surgery can be indicated as a safe method for the elderly. Perioperative parameters such as two flaps in one surgery and transfusion regimens must be considered as risk factors for flap loss.
Keywords: 
free tissue transfer; survival rate; radiation; tumor; fracture; smoker
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