Etiologic causes of late osteocutaneous free flap failures in oral cavity cancer reconstruction

Abstract

Mandibular reconstruction following segmental mandibulectomy provides immediate restoration but is often plagued with perioperative complications that are difficult to predict. Early perioperative infections impact patient long-term morbidity by increasing the risk of late graft failure by almost 13-fold. Consequently, it is felt that early aggressive treatment of these infections may reduce the incidence and severity of late complications and improve patient outcomes.