Complications of Free Flap Reconstruction in Maxillary and Mandibular Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Background: Microvascular osseous free flaps play a central role in head and neck reconstruction; surgeons often rely on fragmented and inconsistently reported data when counselling patients and planning reconstructive strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify postoperative complication rates and to evaluate complication patterns according to flap type. Methods: The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251237516). Studies published between January 2000 and November 2025 reporting postoperative complications following mandibular or maxillary reconstruction with osseous free flaps were identified. Eligible studies included adult cohorts with a minimum sample size of twenty patients. Random-effects meta-analyses of proportions were conduc

SUBMITTER: Maglitto F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12841716 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature