Evaluating risk factors and predicting complications in head and neck reconstructive surgery

Complications in head and neck reconstructive surgery can have devastating effects. There is a tremendous body of literature examining risk factors that may predict complications in this patient population, thereby minimizing or avoiding adverse outcomes. Recent findings Rotational thromboelastometry may provide a mechanism to predict coagulopathy in patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction. Surveillance of serum C-reactive protein levels may provide an additional tool for early intervention in wound complications Controversy persists in the literature regarding specific risk factors and associated perioperative complications. Summary Perioperative medical and surgical complications are commonplace in the management of complex oncologic disease and attendant defect reconstructions. Potential risk factors have been examined exhaustively in the literature without a consensus being established.