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Jeffrey R. Harris, MD; E. Lueg, MD; E. Genden, MD; M. L. Urken, MD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;128:319-323.

Objective  To review our experience with use of the thoracoacromial/cephalic (TAC) system in the free flap reconstruction of complicated head and neck defects.

Design  Case series.

Setting  Tertiary care referral center.

Population  A consecutive sample of 11 patients requiring free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects using the TAC system for microvascular anastomoses was identified by medical chart review.

Intervention  Free flap reconstruction of complicated defects of the head and neck using the TAC vascular system for microvascular anastomoses.

Main Outcome Measures  Free flap survival and microvascular thrombosis.

Results  Of 11 patients using TAC anastomoses, all had complete survival of free flaps. No complications related to anastomotic failure were identified.

Conclusions  The TAC system provides a reliable source of undisturbed vessels when cervical vessels are unusable or absent.

From the Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton (Dr Harris); Los Angeles Medical Center, Southern California Permanente Medical Group (Dr Lueg); and the Department of Otolaryngology, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY (Drs Genden and Urken).

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