Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral Cancer
Abstract Objective Adipose stem cells (ASCs) have been shown in many preclinical studies to be potent suppressors of the immune system. Prior studies suggest that ASCs may promote cancer progression and wound healing. However, clinical studies investigating the effects of native, or fat‐grafted adip...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-01-01
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| Series: | OTO Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.46 |
| _version_ | 1797537486212169728 |
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| author | Andre J. Burnham Jaime Wicks Kristen L. Baugnon Mark W. El‐Deiry Nicole C. Schmitt |
| author_facet | Andre J. Burnham Jaime Wicks Kristen L. Baugnon Mark W. El‐Deiry Nicole C. Schmitt |
| author_sort | Andre J. Burnham |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Adipose stem cells (ASCs) have been shown in many preclinical studies to be potent suppressors of the immune system. Prior studies suggest that ASCs may promote cancer progression and wound healing. However, clinical studies investigating the effects of native, or fat‐grafted adipose tissue on cancer recurrence have generated mixed results. We investigated whether adipose content in reconstructive free flaps for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with disease recurrence and/or reduction in wound complications. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Academic medical center. Methods We performed a review of 55 patients undergoing free flap reconstruction for OSCC over a 14‐month period. Using texture analysis software, we measured the relative free flap fat volume (FFFV) in postoperative computed tomography scans and compared fat volume with patient survival, recurrence, and wound healing complications. Results We report no difference in mean FFFV between patients with or without recurrence: 13.47 cm3 in cancer‐free survivors and 17.99 cm3 in cases that recurred (p = .56). Two‐year recurrence‐free survival in patients with high and low FFFV was 61.0% and 59.1%, respectively (p = .917). Although only 9 patients had wound healing complications, we found no trend in the incidence of wound healing complications between patients with high versus low FFFV. Conclusion FFFV is not associated with recurrence or wound healing in patients undergoing free flap reconstruction for OSCC, suggesting adipose content should not be of concern to the reconstructive surgeon. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:16:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d597116fb94e4160a16e85554cc4b842 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2473-974X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:16:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | OTO Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-d597116fb94e4160a16e85554cc4b8422023-11-21T15:50:29ZengWileyOTO Open2473-974X2023-01-0171n/an/a10.1002/oto2.46Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral CancerAndre J. Burnham0Jaime Wicks1Kristen L. Baugnon2Mark W. El‐Deiry3Nicole C. Schmitt4Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USADepartment of Radiology Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USADepartment of Radiology Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USAHead and Neck Program Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University Georgia Atlanta USAHead and Neck Program Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University Georgia Atlanta USAAbstract Objective Adipose stem cells (ASCs) have been shown in many preclinical studies to be potent suppressors of the immune system. Prior studies suggest that ASCs may promote cancer progression and wound healing. However, clinical studies investigating the effects of native, or fat‐grafted adipose tissue on cancer recurrence have generated mixed results. We investigated whether adipose content in reconstructive free flaps for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with disease recurrence and/or reduction in wound complications. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Academic medical center. Methods We performed a review of 55 patients undergoing free flap reconstruction for OSCC over a 14‐month period. Using texture analysis software, we measured the relative free flap fat volume (FFFV) in postoperative computed tomography scans and compared fat volume with patient survival, recurrence, and wound healing complications. Results We report no difference in mean FFFV between patients with or without recurrence: 13.47 cm3 in cancer‐free survivors and 17.99 cm3 in cases that recurred (p = .56). Two‐year recurrence‐free survival in patients with high and low FFFV was 61.0% and 59.1%, respectively (p = .917). Although only 9 patients had wound healing complications, we found no trend in the incidence of wound healing complications between patients with high versus low FFFV. Conclusion FFFV is not associated with recurrence or wound healing in patients undergoing free flap reconstruction for OSCC, suggesting adipose content should not be of concern to the reconstructive surgeon.https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.46adipose stem cellsadipose tissuefree flaphead and neck cancerrecurrence |
| spellingShingle | Andre J. Burnham Jaime Wicks Kristen L. Baugnon Mark W. El‐Deiry Nicole C. Schmitt Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral Cancer OTO Open adipose stem cells adipose tissue free flap head and neck cancer recurrence |
| title | Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral Cancer |
| title_full | Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral Cancer |
| title_fullStr | Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral Cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral Cancer |
| title_short | Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral Cancer |
| title_sort | free flap fat volume is not associated with recurrence or wound complications in oral cancer |
| topic | adipose stem cells adipose tissue free flap head and neck cancer recurrence |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.46 |
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