Abstract
Microsurgical reconstruction using free flaps in elderly patients has increased in recent years. Between April 1981 and December 2001, 34 patients aged 80 years or older underwent reconstruction at our hospitals using free flaps for head and neck defect. Preoperative medical complications concerning cardiac, pulmonary and renal function were recognized in more than half of the 34 patients. Severe arteriosclerotic changes in the recipient artery were recognized in 4 patients. Among them, one flap failed due to arterial thrombosis that occurred two days postoperatively. Major medical postoperative complications developed in 5 patients. These included two cases of renal failure, two cases of pneumonia and respiratory insufficiency, and one case of cerebral vascular accident. Four of these patients died, so the surgical mortality rate was 11.8% (4/34). Advanced age does not affect the technical success of microsurgical free tissue transfer, but the risk of medical complications is significant and directly related to concurrent illness of the individual patient rather than to age alone.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1117-1123 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Japanese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 1 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
Cite this
Microsurgical reconstructive surgery in patients aged 80 years or older. / Kimata, Yoshihiro; Sakuraba, Minoru; Hishinuma, Shigeyuki; Ebihara, Satoshi; Nakatsuka, Takashi; Harii, Kiyonori.
In: Japanese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vol. 45, No. 12, 01.12.2002, p. 1117-1123.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Microsurgical reconstructive surgery in patients aged 80 years or older
AU - Kimata, Yoshihiro
AU - Sakuraba, Minoru
AU - Hishinuma, Shigeyuki
AU - Ebihara, Satoshi
AU - Nakatsuka, Takashi
AU - Harii, Kiyonori
PY - 2002/12/1
Y1 - 2002/12/1
N2 - Microsurgical reconstruction using free flaps in elderly patients has increased in recent years. Between April 1981 and December 2001, 34 patients aged 80 years or older underwent reconstruction at our hospitals using free flaps for head and neck defect. Preoperative medical complications concerning cardiac, pulmonary and renal function were recognized in more than half of the 34 patients. Severe arteriosclerotic changes in the recipient artery were recognized in 4 patients. Among them, one flap failed due to arterial thrombosis that occurred two days postoperatively. Major medical postoperative complications developed in 5 patients. These included two cases of renal failure, two cases of pneumonia and respiratory insufficiency, and one case of cerebral vascular accident. Four of these patients died, so the surgical mortality rate was 11.8% (4/34). Advanced age does not affect the technical success of microsurgical free tissue transfer, but the risk of medical complications is significant and directly related to concurrent illness of the individual patient rather than to age alone.
AB - Microsurgical reconstruction using free flaps in elderly patients has increased in recent years. Between April 1981 and December 2001, 34 patients aged 80 years or older underwent reconstruction at our hospitals using free flaps for head and neck defect. Preoperative medical complications concerning cardiac, pulmonary and renal function were recognized in more than half of the 34 patients. Severe arteriosclerotic changes in the recipient artery were recognized in 4 patients. Among them, one flap failed due to arterial thrombosis that occurred two days postoperatively. Major medical postoperative complications developed in 5 patients. These included two cases of renal failure, two cases of pneumonia and respiratory insufficiency, and one case of cerebral vascular accident. Four of these patients died, so the surgical mortality rate was 11.8% (4/34). Advanced age does not affect the technical success of microsurgical free tissue transfer, but the risk of medical complications is significant and directly related to concurrent illness of the individual patient rather than to age alone.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036918479&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036918479&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0036918479
VL - 45
SP - 1117
EP - 1123
JO - Japanese Journal of Plastic Surgery
JF - Japanese Journal of Plastic Surgery
SN - 0021-5228
IS - 12
ER -