[Tolerance of reconstructive flaps to postoperative irradiation in oral and maxillofacial regions]

Eighty-three reconstructive flaps in oral and maxillofacial regions irradiated with a dose of 4000 to 7200 cGy were observed for a 2 year follow-up period. It was found that the rates of acute side effects including redswelling erosion and ulceration in the flaps were lower significantly than in neighbor oral mucosa (P < 0.01-0.05). The late radiation side effects of the flaps were uncommon also. The result showed that free flaps were well tolerated to postoperative irradiation of routine dose. Our studies indicate that the preoperative irradiation deficiency of blood supply or purulency were main reasons of the late radiation side effects, e.g. atrophy of epithelia, cicatrization or necrosis of the flap. Base on the results we have designed preventive measures.