Changing trend in the management of head neck cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Changing trend in the management of head neck cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic Via http://link.springer.com/journal/405,European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology,The European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Jun 13. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06898-z. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: In the present study, we have shared our experience in managing head neck cancers, especially the oral malignancies, during the crisis of COVID 19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with oral cancers underwent pedicle/local flaps and free flaps reconstruction based on the availability of intensive care unit and comorbidities of the patients. The clinical outcomes were compared at the end of one week, one month, and three months after the primary surgery. RESULTS: Pedicle/local flaps were used in 25 cases and radial/fibular free flaps were used in 8 cases for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Patients with pedicle flap reconstruction had better clinical outcomes, including lesser ICU stay as compared to free flaps. CONCLUSION: Pedicle flap can be a valid alternative to the free flap for the soft t issue reconstruction in advanced oral malignancies during the COVID pandemic period in the Indian subcontinent, especially with limited infrastructure of the hospitals. PMID:34120204 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06898-z View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.