ReviewJPRAS open2026
Free flap versus pedicled flap reconstruction in head and neck surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Review in JPRAS open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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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
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Free and pedicled flaps remain the principal reconstructive options following head and neck oncologic surgery. Although free flaps are most frequently used, pedicled flaps have re-emerged with modern techniques offering comparable outcomes with reduced complexity. The aim was to systematically compare surgical, functional and economic outcomes between free and pedicled flaps in head and neck reconstruction. Methods: A systematic search of Results: Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria. Free flap reconstruction required a longer operative time (mean difference = +172.5 min; 95% CI 132.3-212.6, PI 2.5 to +342.5 min) and higher financial cost (1.3-3 × greater) compared with pedicled flaps. Hospital stay was similar between groups (mean difference = +0.6 days; 95% CI -2.7 to +3.9). Pedicled flaps exhibited slightly fewer overall complications, including wound dehiscence, infection and revision surgery. Flap failure was significantly more frequent with free flaps. Conclusions: Free flaps remain the standard for extensive or functionally demanding reconstructions, but pedicled flaps offer comparable outcomes with shorter surgery, lower costs and equivalent complication rates in selected cases. Flap choice should be individualised based on defect complexity, patient comorbidity and institutional expertise.
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