TY - JOUR
T1 - Sarcopenia and microvascular free flap reconstruction
AU - Chen, Joy
AU - Dennis, Steven K.
AU - Abouyared, Marianne
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/10/1
Y1 - 2021/10/1
N2 - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the recent literature regarding the impact of sarcopenia on microvascular free flap reconstruction outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Malnutrition, and consequent muscle loss, is a prevalent issue among head and neck cancer patients. However, diagnosis remains challenging due to a paucity of reliable objective measures. Traditional markers, such as albumin, have been used in the past to assess nutritional status, but cancer-related inflammation limits their predictive value. Recently, developments in the diagnosis of sarcopenia through the novel use of computed tomography (CT) cross-sectional muscle mass indices to evaluate body composition have proven effective and accessible. SUMMARY: Literature shows compelling evidence that sarcopenia is associated with higher rates of surgical complications that delay recovery and increase mortality. The use of CT imaging to quantify muscle loss offers an objective way to evaluate nutritional status, which is predictive of postoperative rates of complications. Research on ways to optimize muscle mass prior to surgery is limited, however, immunonutrition is emerging as a promising intervention that can attenuate sarcopenia-related inflammation to improve outcomes.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the recent literature regarding the impact of sarcopenia on microvascular free flap reconstruction outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Malnutrition, and consequent muscle loss, is a prevalent issue among head and neck cancer patients. However, diagnosis remains challenging due to a paucity of reliable objective measures. Traditional markers, such as albumin, have been used in the past to assess nutritional status, but cancer-related inflammation limits their predictive value. Recently, developments in the diagnosis of sarcopenia through the novel use of computed tomography (CT) cross-sectional muscle mass indices to evaluate body composition have proven effective and accessible. SUMMARY: Literature shows compelling evidence that sarcopenia is associated with higher rates of surgical complications that delay recovery and increase mortality. The use of CT imaging to quantify muscle loss offers an objective way to evaluate nutritional status, which is predictive of postoperative rates of complications. Research on ways to optimize muscle mass prior to surgery is limited, however, immunonutrition is emerging as a promising intervention that can attenuate sarcopenia-related inflammation to improve outcomes.
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U2 - 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000756
DO - 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000756
M3 - Article
C2 - 34387288
AN - SCOPUS:85115440204
VL - 29
SP - 419
EP - 423
JO - Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
JF - Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
SN - 1068-9508
IS - 5
ER -