Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42124389›Full record

SynthesisHead & neck2026

Use of Free Flaps in the Reconstruction of the Ventral Skull Base: A Systematic Literature Review.

Francesco Mazzola, Francesco Benvegnù, Milena Fior, Martina Conti, Stefano Taboni, Enzo Emanuelli, Philippe Herman, Piero Nicolai, Elisabetta Zanoletti, Raul Pellini and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Head & neck, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

11 authors.

Francesco MazzolaUnit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena Cancer Institute of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1533-8832
Francesco BenvegnùSection of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-0965-7717
Milena FiorUnit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena Cancer Institute of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0009-0008-2531-3675
Martina ContiOtorhinolaryngology and Skull Base Center, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.
Stefano TaboniSection of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2407-4031
Enzo EmanuelliSection of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Philippe HermanOtorhinolaryngology and Skull Base Center, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.ORCID 0000-0003-3408-0005
Piero NicolaiSection of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-0443-3519
Elisabetta ZanolettiSection of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Raul PelliniUnit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena Cancer Institute of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-6051-3041
Marco FerrariSection of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-4023-0121

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundReconstruction of the ventral skull base represents a challenge in head and neck surgery. When local or regional flaps are insufficient, microvascular free flaps offer a reliable reconstructive option.

methodsA systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to identify studies on ventral skull base reconstruction using microvascular free flaps. Eligible studies included cases with an explicit description of the flap type, recipient vessels, and transposition corridor. The authors propose a categorization of the surgical corridors used for pedicle transposition to optimize result interpretation.

resultsThirty-seven studies encompassing 147 patients met inclusion criteria. A possible preferential association between site, corridor, and flap can be suggested.

conclusionsThis study supports the role of a tailored selection of surgical corridors and recipient vessels in optimizing ventral skull base reconstruction. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of matching anatomical feasibility with flap and patient's characteristics.

Indexed as

Free Tissue FlapsPlastic Surgery ProceduresSkull BaseSkull Base NeoplasmsHumansRecipient Vesselsflap transpositionfree flapsmicroanastomosesreconstructionskull base

Identifiers

PMID42124389
PMCPMC13332580

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Registered trials

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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.