Complications
Recipient site complications occurred in 26 (55.3%) patients, which was not statistically significant different between patients with partial compared to those with through-and-through defects (46.7% vs. 70.6%; p=0.138). Wound dehiscence, formation of salivary fistula, local infections and free flap failure occurred in 14 (29.8%), 10 (21.3%), 9 (19.1%), and 2 (4.3%) cases, respectively, but did not significantly differ between both groups (Table III).
However, with regards to affected aesthetic zones, we observed formation of salivary fistula particularly in 46.2% of zone I defects, which was significantly higher compared to 9.1% and 13.0% in zone II and III defects, respectively (p=0.035). It is noteworthy to mention that extent of resection (p=0.136), performance of maxillectomy (p=0.496) or mandibulectomy (p=1.000), T-classification (p=0.751) or size of defect (p=0.145) had no significant impact on the development of salivary fistulae.