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Free tissue reconstruction following excision of head and neck arteriovenous malformations
Larry D Hartzell1, Brendan C Stack, James Yuen
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate free tissue transfer (FTT) as a safe and effective reconstructive technique to treat arteriovenous malformations. Vascular lesions that present a significant clinical challenge to the head and neck reconstructive surgeon are often difficult to treat and can leave large, complex defects.
Methods:
Retrospective, single-institution case series.
Results:
We describe 8 patients treated for extensive lesions in various parts of the head and neck reconstructed with free flaps. These malformations have a tendency to recur, which was the case in 75% of our patients (6 of 8) during a mean follow-up period of 5 years. Revision procedures are expected at a mean rate of 6.75 per person in our series.
Conclusions:
Arteriovenous malformations are uncommon and challenging lesions. Use of FTT can ameliorate the large defects resulting from excision of these lesions.
