Early ambulation after fibular free flap surgery is associated with reduced length of stay, increased mobility independence, and discharge to home.
| Title: | Early ambulation after fibular free flap surgery is associated with reduced length of stay, increased mobility independence, and discharge to home. |
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| Authors: | McCrary HC; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.; Dunklebarger MF; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.; Fechter BJ; Huntsman Cancer Hospital Rehab Therapy Services, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.; Drejet SM; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.; Monroe MM; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.; Buchmann LO; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.; Hunt JP; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.; Cannon RB; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. |
| Source: | Head & neck [Head Neck] 2024 May; Vol. 46 (5), pp. 1160-1167. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Mar 18. |
| Publication Type: | Review; Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: John Wiley And Sons Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 8902541 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1097-0347 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10433074 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Head Neck Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: New York, NY : John Wiley And Sons; Original Publication: New York, NY : J. Wiley, c1989- |
| MeSH Terms: | Free Tissue Flaps* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures*; Humans ; Patient Discharge ; Length of Stay ; Early Ambulation ; Retrospective Studies |
| Abstract: | Background: Fibula free flaps (FFF) are one of the most common bony flaps utilized. This paper describes a quality improvement project aimed at increasing early ambulation.; Methods: A review of FFF patients at an academic hospital was completed (2014-2023). In 2018, an institutional change to encourage early ambulation without placement of a boot was made. Changes in hospital disposition and physical therapy outcomes were evaluated.; Results: A total of 168 patients underwent FFF reconstruction. There was a statistically significant lower length of stay in Group 2 (early ambulation, no boot) (8.1 vs. 9.4; p = 0.04). A higher rate of discharge to a skilled nursing facility was noted in Group 1 (delayed ambulation with boot) (21.3% vs. 11.9%; p = 0.009). A higher proportion of patients in Group 2 demonstrated independence during bed mobility, transfers, and gait (p |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: fibula free flap; head and neck reconstruction; length of stay; physical therapy; quality improvement |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20240318 Date Completed: 20240410 Latest Revision: 20250730 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/hed.27737 |
| PMID: | 38494924 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Review; Journal Article