SynthesisHead & neck2023
Using the serratus anterior free flap for dynamic facial reanimation: Systematic review.
Synthesis in Head & neck, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Using the serratus anterior free flap for dynamic facial reanimation: Systematic review.Head & neck · 2023Pooled it
- Management of Facial Paralysis Following Skull Base Surgery: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.Audiology research · 2025Review
- Single-Stage Versus 2-Stage Facial Reanimation With a Free Functional Muscle Flap: Protocol for a Systematic Review.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
- Technique and Muscle Preferences for Dynamic Facial Reanimation in Irreversible Facial Paralysis-A Literature Review.Craniomaxillofacial trauma & reconstruction · 2025Review
- Dynamic Repair Surgery for Late-Stage Facial Paralysis: Advances in Restoring Movement and Function.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors at 5 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
It was the purpose of this study to evaluate the role of the serratus anterior free flap (SAFF) with its long thoracic nerve (LTN) as composite flap for dynamic facial reanimation. A total of 10 studies, published between 2004 and 2021, met inclusion criteria. Clinical data of 48 patients were used for the systematic review and analysis. One to three slips were used, mainly as one-stage procedures (n = 39; 81.3%), to create different force vectors. Single or double innervated muscle transfers were utilized in 32 (66.7%) and 16 (33.3%) cases with additionally harvested skin paddles in 4 (8.3%) patients. The LTN was mostly anastomosed to the ipsilateral masseteric nerve (45.8%; n = 22) or to remaining facial nerve branches (37.5%; n = 18), while cross-facial-nerve-grafting was rarely used (16.7%; n = 8). The SAFF as composite flap with different force vectors proved to be a good candidate for immediate dynamic facial reanimation after any midface defects.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.