Free-flap reconstruction in the elderly patient

The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and the efficacity of microsurgery in the elderly patient population. Between 2003 and 2005, 10 free-flaps were performed in 10 patients who were aged 70 years or older. One flap underwent reexploration, for an overall success rate of 100%. Medic...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annales de chirurgie plastique et esthétique 2008-10, Vol.53 (5), p.420-423
Main Authors: Perrot, P, Le Floch, R, Bellier-Waast, F, Bourdais, L, Pannier, M, Duteille, F
Format: Article
Language:fre
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Humans
Male
Microsurgery
Postoperative Complications
Surgical Flaps
Treatment Outcome
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and the efficacity of microsurgery in the elderly patient population. Between 2003 and 2005, 10 free-flaps were performed in 10 patients who were aged 70 years or older. One flap underwent reexploration, for an overall success rate of 100%. Medical complications in the postoperative period were further evaluated. Effects of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, operation time, and age on complication rate were evaluated. Only ASA status was significant for the occurrence of postoperative medical complications; class 3 and 4 patients were at higher risk than class 1 and 2. Neither operation time nor age was predictive of postoperative complications. Microvascular free-tissue transfer is a safe and reliable option in the elderly population. The success rate of free-flaps is not different from that for other age groups. The rate of postoperative medical complications was 20%: most complications were in ASA class 3 and 4 patients.
ISSN:1768-319X
DOI:10.1016/j.anplas.2007.09.006