Outcomes of salvage surgery with free flap reconstruction for recurrent oral and oropharyngeal cancer

Abstract

Salvage surgery with free flap reconstruction for recurrent oral and oropharyngeal tumors after chemoradiotherapy has acceptable morbidity and similar cure rates as salvage following radiotherapy without chemotherapy. Concurrent nodal recurrence and short disease-free interval are associated with reduced cure rates. A significant proportion will require enterogastric feeding and few will tolerate a normal diet.