ArticleClinical interventions in aging2021
Free Flap Reconstruction of the Extremities in Patients Who are ≥65 Years Old: A Single-Center Retrospective 1-to-1 Matched Analysis.
Article in Clinical interventions in aging, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Detection of Microvascular Failure Using Bioimpedance and Sensor-derived Clinical Indicators: A Preliminary Study.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Article
- Deep learning-based ordinal classification overcomes subjective assessment limitations in intraoral free flap monitoring.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Postoperative free flap monitoring in reconstructive surgery-man or machine?Frontiers in surgery · 2023Review
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7 authors.
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Abstract
purposeDemographic changes are leading to population aging, and free flap reconstructions for various indications are expected to become increasingly common among older patients. Therefore, this study evaluated free flap reconstruction of the extremities in older patients and compared the outcomes to those from younger patients who underwent similar procedures during the same period. PATIENTS AND
methodsThis single-center retrospective study used a case-control design to compare older and younger patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the extremities. One-to-one matching was performed for older patients (≥65 years) and younger patients (≤64 years) according to indication, flap recipient site, and flap type. The parameters of interest were clinico-demographic characteristics, flap type, defect location, indication for free flap reconstruction, number of venous anastomoses, and postoperative complications (flap loss, infection, and wound healing disorders).
resultsThe study included 48 older patients and 133 younger patients, with a mean follow-up of 12 months after discharge. The free flap reconstruction was performed at a mean interval of 19.8±22.8 days (range: 0-88 days). The 1:1 matching created 38 pairs of patients, which revealed no significant differences in the rates of flap necrosis and flap failure.
conclusionThis study failed to detect a significant age-related difference in the flap necrosis rate after free flap reconstruction of extremity defects. Therefore, with careful perioperative management and patient selection, microsurgical free flap reconstruction is a feasible option for older patients.
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