de Berker HT, Čebron U, Bradley D, Patel V, Berhane M, Almas F, Walton G, Eshete M, McGurk M, Martin D, Honeyman C. Outcomes of microsurgical free tissue transfer performed on international surgical collaborations in low-income and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2022;
75:2049-2063. [PMID:
35490120 DOI:
10.1016/j.bjps.2022.04.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Microsurgical free tissue transfer is the gold standard for reconstruction of significant soft tissue and bony defects following cancer resection and trauma. Many reconstructive units in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not yet have access to the resources or training required to perform microsurgical procedures. Long-term international collaborations have been formed with annual reconstructive programmes conducting microsurgery.
AIMS
To critically analyze outcomes of microsurgical free tissue transfer performed on international reconstructive collaborations in LMICs.
METHODS
PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes for free tissue transfer performed during international collaborations in LMICs using an inverse variance model. The study protocol was published prospectively and registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021225613).
RESULTS
Seven studies, included 290 flaps on 284 patients. The most common sites requiring reconstruction were Head and neck (53% (n = 153)) and lower limb (7.9% (n = 23)) were lower limb reconstruction. The most common free flaps were radial forearm (22%; n = 64) and anterolateral thigh (18%; n = 51). Total Flap Failure rate was 3.8% (n = 13; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.9-6.3%) Overall complication rate was 38% (95% CI =27-48%), with 19% of flaps requiring emergency return to theatre (95% CI =14-26%). Flap salvage was successful in 52% of take-backs (95% CI =15% - 88%).
CONCLUSIONS
Free flaps performed during international surgical collaborations in LMICs have comparable failure rates to those performed in higher-income settings. However, there are higher complication and take-back rates. This should be taken into account when planning international collaborations. These results should help preoperative counselling and the consent process.
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