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J Hand Microsurg 2022; 14(03): 245-250
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1717828
Original Article

Upper Extremity Free Flap Transfers: An Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database

George A. Beyer
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States
,
Karan Dua
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States
,
Neil V. Shah
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States
,
Joseph P. Scollan
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States
,
Jared M. Newman
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States
,
Suhail K. Mithani
2   Department of Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Reconstructive Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
,
Steven M. Koehler
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States
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Abstract

Introduction We evaluated the demographics, flap types, and 30-day complication, readmission, and reoperation rates for upper extremity free flap transfers within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

Materials and Methods Upper extremity free flap transfer patients in the NSQIP from 2008 to 2016 were identified. Complications, reoperations, and readmissions were queried. Chi-squared tests evaluated differences in sex, race, and insurance. The types of procedures performed, complication frequencies, reoperation rates, and readmission rates were analyzed.

Results One-hundred-eleven patients were selected (mean: 36.8 years). Most common upper extremity free flaps were muscle/myocutaneous (45.9%) and other vascularized bone grafts with microanastomosis (27.9%). Thirty-day complications among all patients included superficial site infections (2.7%), intraoperative transfusions (7.2%), pneumonia (0.9%), and deep venous thrombosis (0.9%). Thirty-day reoperation and readmission rates were 4.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The mean time from discharge to readmission was 12.5 days.

Conclusion Upper extremity free flap transfers could be performed with a low rate of 30-day complications, reoperations, and readmissions.

Keywords

upper extremity free flap - NSQIP - flap complications - flap outcomes


Publication History

Article published online:
22 September 2020

© 2020. Society of Indian Hand Surgery & Microsurgeons. All rights reserved.

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