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J Reconstr Microsurg 2018; 34(06): 413-419
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1626696
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Use of Social Media and an Online Survey to Discuss Complex Reconstructive Surgery: A Case of Upper Lip Reconstruction with 402 Responses from International Microsurgeons

Soo-Ha Kwon
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and Chang Gung Medical College and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
,
Che-Hsiung Lee
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and Chang Gung Medical College and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
,
Angela Ting-Wei Hsu
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and Chang Gung Medical College and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
2   Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
,
Mark Shafarenko
3   University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Usama Farghaly Omar
4   Orthopedic Surgery Department, Al-Hekma Specialized Hospital, Egypt
,
Chieh-Han John Tzou
5   Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hospital of the Divine Savior, Vienna, Austria
,
Julia Roka-Palkovits
6   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
,
Aldo G. Beltrán P
7   Surgical Department. Plastic Surgery Service, Hand Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario Erasmo Meoz, Columbia
,
Dimitri Liakos
8   Plastic, Reconstructive and Microsurgeon WITS Donald Gordon Medical Center and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Tommy Nai-Jen Chang
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and Chang Gung Medical College and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

02 October 2017

14 December 2017

Publication Date:
02 February 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Background The best reconstructive strategy for upper lip defects is still in debate. The purpose of this study was to analyze the decisions made by international microsurgeons, who were participated through online questionnaire, distributed by email and social media network.

Materials and Methods A case of a two-thirds upper lip oncologic defect was presented via an online questionnaire and 402 microsurgeons replied their treatment options. The data were then analyzed according to the geographic area, microsurgical fellowship, seniority, and subspecialty. All the data were analyzed using SPSS 22.

Results A total of 27.7% of microsurgeons chose a free flap, while 72.3% chose a local/pedicle flap as their preferred method for reconstruction. The most common choice of free and local/pedicle flaps was radial forearm (73.6%) and Abbé (36.2%), respectively. The microsurgeons in Europe preferred local/pedicle flaps than free flap when compared with Middle/South America, Asia-Pacific, Africa and South Asia/Middle East (11.6% versus 50%, 43.4%, 29.3% and 27.3%, respectively, multivariant p < 0.05). The microsurgeons with microsurgical fellowships preferred to use free flaps (32.9% versus 17.5%, multivariant p = 0.021). There was no difference for the seniority and specialty of the microsurgeons.

Conclusions The online questionnaire is valuable and feasible for obtaining experts' opinions. This study provides a current global overview of surgical preferences for this common complicated clinical scenario.

Keywords

upper lip defect - free flap - local flap - pedicle flap - online questionnaire

Financial Disclosure Statement

None of the authors have a financial interest in any of the products, devices, or drugs mentioned in this manuscript. No specific funding was received for this study.


 

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