Heterotopic Ossification in Bony Free Flaps Used in Head-and-neck Reconstruction
Introduction: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a rare occurrence in bony free flaps used in head-and-neck reconstructive surgery. HO is an incidental finding, described as a rare phenomenon in the literature. The periosteal theory is one of the most emphasized physiopathological descriptions for HO....
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Turkish Journal of Plastic Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/tjps.tjps_14_24 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850109945492537344 |
|---|---|
| author | Ahmet Rıfat Doğramacı Gokce Yildiran Osman Akdag Hande Akdeniz Mustafa Sutcu Zekeriya Tosun |
| author_facet | Ahmet Rıfat Doğramacı Gokce Yildiran Osman Akdag Hande Akdeniz Mustafa Sutcu Zekeriya Tosun |
| author_sort | Ahmet Rıfat Doğramacı |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a rare occurrence in bony free flaps used in head-and-neck reconstructive surgery. HO is an incidental finding, described as a rare phenomenon in the literature. The periosteal theory is one of the most emphasized physiopathological descriptions for HO. This study aimed to address the causes, outcomes, and prevention of HO.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 30 patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for head-and-neck bone defects using bony free flaps. The patients underwent postoperative clinical examinations and computed tomography imaging. The age, sex, indications for reconstruction, ossification time, symptoms, and clinical findings were collected and reviewed.
Results:
The reviewed medical records showed that 5 patients developed HO after reconstruction with bony free flaps. Free fibula flap was used in 4 patients, whereas free medial femoral condylar flap was used in 1 patient.
Conclusion:
Clinical signs of HO were not observed in any patient. A modified approach with preservation of the periosteum is recommended in selected patients to avoid HO. Surgical ossification removal should be performed only in patients with symptoms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-947e1795e4e945eba11a7a2e051e3a5c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2528-8644 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Turkish Journal of Plastic Surgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-947e1795e4e945eba11a7a2e051e3a5c2025-08-20T02:37:57ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsTurkish Journal of Plastic Surgery2528-86442025-01-01331242710.4103/tjps.tjps_14_24Heterotopic Ossification in Bony Free Flaps Used in Head-and-neck ReconstructionAhmet Rıfat DoğramacıGokce YildiranOsman AkdagHande AkdenizMustafa SutcuZekeriya TosunIntroduction: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a rare occurrence in bony free flaps used in head-and-neck reconstructive surgery. HO is an incidental finding, described as a rare phenomenon in the literature. The periosteal theory is one of the most emphasized physiopathological descriptions for HO. This study aimed to address the causes, outcomes, and prevention of HO. Methods: This retrospective study included 30 patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for head-and-neck bone defects using bony free flaps. The patients underwent postoperative clinical examinations and computed tomography imaging. The age, sex, indications for reconstruction, ossification time, symptoms, and clinical findings were collected and reviewed. Results: The reviewed medical records showed that 5 patients developed HO after reconstruction with bony free flaps. Free fibula flap was used in 4 patients, whereas free medial femoral condylar flap was used in 1 patient. Conclusion: Clinical signs of HO were not observed in any patient. A modified approach with preservation of the periosteum is recommended in selected patients to avoid HO. Surgical ossification removal should be performed only in patients with symptoms.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/tjps.tjps_14_24free fibula flaphead-and-neck reconstructionheterotopic ossificationmedial femoral condylar flap |
| spellingShingle | Ahmet Rıfat Doğramacı Gokce Yildiran Osman Akdag Hande Akdeniz Mustafa Sutcu Zekeriya Tosun Heterotopic Ossification in Bony Free Flaps Used in Head-and-neck Reconstruction Turkish Journal of Plastic Surgery free fibula flap head-and-neck reconstruction heterotopic ossification medial femoral condylar flap |
| title | Heterotopic Ossification in Bony Free Flaps Used in Head-and-neck Reconstruction |
| title_full | Heterotopic Ossification in Bony Free Flaps Used in Head-and-neck Reconstruction |
| title_fullStr | Heterotopic Ossification in Bony Free Flaps Used in Head-and-neck Reconstruction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Heterotopic Ossification in Bony Free Flaps Used in Head-and-neck Reconstruction |
| title_short | Heterotopic Ossification in Bony Free Flaps Used in Head-and-neck Reconstruction |
| title_sort | heterotopic ossification in bony free flaps used in head and neck reconstruction |
| topic | free fibula flap head-and-neck reconstruction heterotopic ossification medial femoral condylar flap |
| url | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/tjps.tjps_14_24 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ahmetrıfatdogramacı heterotopicossificationinbonyfreeflapsusedinheadandneckreconstruction AT gokceyildiran heterotopicossificationinbonyfreeflapsusedinheadandneckreconstruction AT osmanakdag heterotopicossificationinbonyfreeflapsusedinheadandneckreconstruction AT handeakdeniz heterotopicossificationinbonyfreeflapsusedinheadandneckreconstruction AT mustafasutcu heterotopicossificationinbonyfreeflapsusedinheadandneckreconstruction AT zekeriyatosun heterotopicossificationinbonyfreeflapsusedinheadandneckreconstruction |