Use of Superficial Temporal Vessels in Reconstructive Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery With Vascularized Free Flaps Among "Frozen Neck" Patients.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using superficial temporal vessels as recipient vessels for vascularized free flap reconstruction in "frozen neck" patients following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC).

METHODS

Between February 2022 and November 2024, 16 patients underwent vascularized free flap reconstruction by using superficial temporal vessels at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. Among them, anterolateral thigh flap (ALT, n = 5), radial forearm free flap (RFFF, n = 1), deep circumflex iliac artery microvascular free flap (DCIA, n = 8), and superficial iliac circumflex artery perforator flap (SCIP, n = 2) were utilized. Intraoperative vessel identification, flap survival, and postoperative complications were assessed.

RESULTS

All patients attained optimal surgical outcomes. During the mean follow-up period of 9 months, all flaps survived with absence of major procedure-related morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Superficial temporal vessels offer a safe, reliable approach for vascularized free flap reconstruction in challenging "frozen neck" cases, providing an effective alternative in oral-maxillofacial reconstruction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.