Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40940297›Full record

ArticleHead & neck2026

Comparing Functional Outcomes Following TORS With Free Flap Reconstruction Using a Radial Forearm vs. Anterolateral Thigh Flap.

Praneet Kaki, Doreen Lam, Neel R Sangal, Ryan M Carey, Karthik Rajasekaran, Ara Chalian, Robert M Brody, Gregory S Weinstein, Steven B Cannady

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Head & neck, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Praneet KakiSidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.ORCID 0009-0005-6428-2064
Doreen LamDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Neel R SangalDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ryan M CareyDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Karthik RajasekaranDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-2148-1643
Ara ChalianDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Robert M BrodyDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Gregory S WeinsteinDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Steven B CannadyDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFree flap reconstruction (FFR) following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is commonly performed using radial forearm free flaps (RFFF). This study compares patterns of functional recovery between RFFFs and anterolateral thigh flaps (ALTFs).

methodsRetrospective cohort study of patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent TORS with FFR (2010-2023) at a tertiary care center. A 1:4 ALTF:RFFF propensity score match was performed. Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) assessed outcomes.

resultsThe 105 patients were included. ALTF patients had lower FOIS at 6 months (3[2.0, 5.0] vs. 5.0[2.0, 6.0], p = 0.045) and 1 year (5.0[2.0, 6.0] vs. 6.0[5.0, 6.8], p = 0.045), with higher PEG tube rates. ALTFs were used for larger defects (62.95 ± 20.25 cm

conclusionsALTFs are suitable for larger defects and lead to slower early functional recovery with higher PEG tube rates compared to RFFFs, with no difference in complications.

Indexed as

Free Tissue FlapsOropharyngeal NeoplasmsPlastic Surgery ProceduresRobotic Surgical ProceduresAgedFemaleForearmHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative ComplicationsPropensity ScoreRecovery of FunctionRetrospective StudiesThighTreatment Outcomeanterolateral thighdysphagiaFOISfree flapfunctional outcomesradial forearmTORS

Identifiers

PMID40940297
PMCPMC12797001

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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.