Objective: To analyze the influence of prior radiotherapy on free tissue transfer in head and neck region.
Methods: One thousand and sixty-six consecutive free flap transfers performed in 1007 patients in head and neck region from May 1999 to March 2005 were reviewed. Among the 1007 cases, 146 had a history of prior radiotherapy (radiation group), and the other 896 without prior radiotherapy (non-radiation group). The two groups were compared in terms of free flap success rate and postoperative complication rate.
Results: The success rate of free flap was 97.6% in the radiation group, and 98.4% in the non-radiation group. The postoperative complication rate was 38.4% in the radiation group, and 36.4% in the non-radiation group.
Conclusions: Prior radiotherapy poses no significant influence on free tissue transfer in head and neck region.