ABSTRACT
Answers to the question, “Does previous irradiation of a recipient site interfere
with reconstruction by free-tissue transfer?” have been elusive. In an attempt to
address that question, all free-flap procedures performed for reconstruction of the
breast or of head and neck defects at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center between May 1, 1988 and February 15,1996 were reviewed. The effects of prior
irradiation of the recipient site on the incidence of total flap loss, partial flap
loss, and thrombosis were assessed. During the study period, 1384 eligible free-flap
reconstructions were performed. Total flap loss and partial flap loss were more common
in the 428 flaps transferred to previously irradiated sites than in the patients without
previous irradiation, but multiple logistic regression analysis showed that these
differences were due to confounding factors. The authors conclude that previous irradiation
of flap recipient sites does not statistically significantly affect the rate of partial
or total free-flap loss.
