Head and neck free flap reconstruction: What is the appropriate post-operative level of care?

Postoperative care of the head and neck free flap patient requires close free flap monitoring, airway management, parenteral feeding, and management of medical comorbidities [1,2]. Patients undergoing head and neck reconstructive surgery may be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), a step-down (or other intermediate care) unit, or an inpatient ward after surgery. Head and neck oncologic surgery may predispose patients to infections and poor wound healing due to medical comorbidities, exposure to radiotherapy and the proximity of the aerodigestive tract to neurovascular structures and soft tissue planes [3].
Source: Oral Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research