Margin Analysis-Has Free Tissue Transfer Improved Oncologic Outcomes for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Microvascular reconstruction of ablative defects has become a mainstay of contemporary management of head and neck cancer patients. These techniques offer myriad tissue options that vary in character, volume, and components and have vastly improved the esthetic and functional outcomes achieved in this patient population. Although consensus exists regarding the reliability and functional and esthetic benefits of free tissue transfer, the same cannot be said for oncologic outcomes. The increase in resources required for the routine use of free tissue transfer has led to asking this question-Do vascularized free flaps allow for increased surgical margins and improvements in oncologic outcomes?