Upper Extremity Free Flap Transfers: An Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database

Introduction We evaluated the demographics, flap types, and 30-day complication, readmission, and reoperation rates for upper extremity free flap transfers within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Materials and Methods Upper extremity free flap transfer patients in the NSQIP from 2008 to 2016 were identified. Complications, reoperations, and readmissions were queried. Chi-squared tests evaluated differences in sex, race, and insurance. The types of procedures performed, complication frequencies, reoperation rates, and readmission rates were analyzed. Results One-hundred-eleven patients were selected (mean: 36.8 years). Most common upper extremity free flaps were muscle/myocutaneous (45.9%) and other vascularized bone grafts with microanastomosis (27.9%). Thirty-day complications among all patients included superficial site infections (2.7%), intraoperative transfusions (7.2%), pneumonia (0.9%), and deep venous thrombosis (0.9%). Thirty-day reoperation and readmission rates were 4.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The mean time from discharge to readmission was 12.5 days. Conclusion Upper extremity free flap transfers could be performed with a low rate of 30-day complications, reoperations, and readmissions.