Hepatitis C as a Potential Risk Factor for Adverse Surgical Outcomes in Head and Neck Free Tissue Transfer Reconstruction

Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2022 Jul-Aug;24(4):300-304. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2021.0082. Epub 2021 Aug 27.

Abstract

Background: Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with an increased risk of developing head and neck cancer (HNC), and negatively impacts cancer-specific survival. Objective: To measure the impact of HCV status on free tissue transfer failure, flap takeback, and length of stay in HNC patients undergoing reconstruction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent head and neck free tissue transfer reconstruction at a single academic institution between August 2011 and June 2020. Results: In the HCV-infected group, total flap failure rate was 2.9% versus 1.3% in the control group and the takeback rate was 11.1% versus 9.6%. On multivariate analysis, HCV status was not associated with flap failure, flap takeback, or total length of hospital stay >7 days. Conclusion: In this study, HCV status was not associated with differences in postoperative complications or length of stay. Future research with greater numbers of HCV-positive study subjects is required to elucidate the effect of HCV infection in this patient population.

MeSH terms

  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Hepacivirus
  • Hepatitis C* / complications
  • Humans
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures*
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome