Potential Benefits from the Use of the Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap for Immediate Soft-Tissue Reconstruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Autor: I. Varley, Alexandra Thompson, Alan Patterson, Kapil Java, Zia Khan
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery
Journal of Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery
ISSN: 0974-942X
0972-8279
DOI: 10.1007/s12663-020-01440-w
Popis: Introduction The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed significant strains on healthcare resources including staff, theatre, high dependency and intensive care availability. Surgery remains the optimal treatment for the majority of oral malignancies, and primary reconstruction is often necessary to avoid significant morbidity as a result of ablative procedures. Description The supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) is increasingly finding a place as an alternative to free flap reconstruction of soft-tissue defects and has several specific advantages when compared to use of a soft-tissue free flap during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used for a range of head and neck defects. Results We describe our experience with the SCAIF during the pandemic in five patients with a variety of tumour types and locations. All five patients had a successful outcome with none requiring further reconstruction and all had a functional swallow postoperatively, including a patient who underwent a total pharyngeal reconstruction with a SCAIF. Discussion The use of a SCAIF during the current COVID-19 pandemic has significant advantages and is a reliable alternative to a soft tissue free flap.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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