Flap Complications Following Maxillectomy, Reconstructive Surgery, and Postoperative Proton Radiotherapy: A Cohort Study and Considerations for Risk Mitigation.

BACKGROUND

Flap complications following maxillectomy, reconstruction, and adjuvant proton beam therapy (PBT) for primary maxillary and sinonasal malignancies are not well described.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients treated between 2016 and 2023 from a single-institutional database.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients were identified with a median follow-up of 26 months. No immediate post-operative complications occurred, with a median time between surgery and PBT of 61 days. Nine patients (69.2%) had high-risk postoperative pathology and required 66+ Gy(RBE), including five (38.5%) with gross disease receiving 70 Gy(RBE). Flap necrosis and fistulization occurred in three patients (23.1%) following PBT (median time from PBT to complication, 112 days). Higher flap mean and minimum dose, flap volume receiving at least 66 Gy[RBE], and minimum dose to 50% flap volume were associated with complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful patient selection and planning strategies should be considered to mitigate flap complication risk following adjuvant PBT for high-risk post-operative pathology.