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Airway management in pediatric patients undergoing microvascular free tissue transfer reconstruction after
Elizabeth O Shay1, Madhuri Kesani2, Michael G Moore1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Insights
Pediatric head and neck reconstruction using microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT) is feasible without tracheostomy, avoiding potential airway complications and reducing hospital resource use. This approach offers a safe alternative for mandibular reconstruction in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric reconstructive surgery
- Head and neck oncology
- Microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT)
Background:
- Microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT) is rarely performed in pediatric head and neck reconstruction.
- Perioperative airway management, including tracheostomy, in pediatric MVFTT is not well-documented.
- Tracheostomy in children may lead to long-term morbidity due to pliable laryngotracheal cartilage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate airway outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing MVFTT for mandibular reconstruction.
- To assess the necessity and impact of tracheostomy in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients (2014-2023) who underwent MVFTT after segmental mandibulectomy.
- Data collected included demographics, surgical details, and clinical outcomes.
- Statistical analysis performed using JMP Pro.
Main Results:
- Ten pediatric patients (median age 11.5 years) underwent fibular free flap reconstruction for various mandibular pathologies.
- Two patients received upfront tracheostomy but were decannulated within one week.
- No patient required reintubation or experienced long-term airway complications post-extubation.
Conclusions:
- Fibular free flap reconstruction without tracheostomy is a feasible option for pediatric mandibular defects.
- Avoiding tracheostomy may reduce hospital resource utilization and surgical morbidity.
- Further prospective studies with larger cohorts are needed.
Objectives:
Microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT) for head and neck reconstruction is infrequently performed in pediatric patients. There is a paucity of data on perioperative airway management in pediatric MVFTT, such as the need for tracheostomy, which can pose higher morbidity to young patients due to potential long-term effects on the softer, more pliable laryngotracheal cartilage. Our objective was to report airway outcomes on pediatric patients undergoing MVFTT after segmental mandibulectomy with or without tracheostomy.
Methods:
Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who underwent MVFTT reconstruction after segmental mandibulectomy at a tertiary care center from 2014 to 2023. Demographic variables, surgical characteristics, and hospital clinical outcomes were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed with JMP Pro, Version 16.0.0 (2021) SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, 1989-2021.
Results:
Ten patients (median age 11.5 years old, IQR: 9.0-13.3) underwent fibular free flap reconstruction. Mandibular pathologies included 3 ameloblastoma, 2 mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, 2 desmoplastic fibroma, 1 Ewing sarcoma, 1 chondroblastic osteosarcoma, and 1 desmoid tumor. Two patients received upfront tracheostomy at time of initial surgery for a subtotal mandibulectomy and a sub-hemimandibulectomy, respectively. Both patients were decannulated within 1 week after surgery and prior to discharge. The median ICU and hospital length of stay for patients who underwent tracheostomy was 3.5 days [IQR: 3.0-4.0] and 8.5 days [IQR: 8.0-9.0] respectively. Of the remaining 8 patients without tracheostomy, surgical defects were hemimandibulectomy and anterior subtotal mandibulectomy. Median intubation duration was 1.0 day [IQR: 1.0-2.5]. The median ICU and hospital length of stay for these patients were 3.0 days [IQR: 2.0-6.3] and 8.5 days [IQR: 7.3-13.0], respectively. No patient had to be reintubated for respiratory failure following extubation or had long-term airway complications during the follow-up period.
Conclusions:
Fibular free flap reconstruction without tracheostomy can be feasible in pediatric patients with mandibular defects, which can potentially reduce hospital resources required for fresh tracheostomy care needs and avoid additional surgical morbidity. Further studies in larger populations and prospective approaches are warranted.
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