Anaesthesia for onco-plastic reconstructive surgery

SummaryReconstructive plastic surgery post cancer resection is a vital part of the modern management of cancer patients. It can restore both cosmetic appearance and function. Soft tissue cover can also be provided to allow further curative treatment to be given such as radiotherapy. The anaesthetic management of these patients covers a wide array of clinical situations; from free flap management in patients with difficult airways to pedicle muscle flaps for breast reconstruction. This article starts with an overview of the physiology relating to tissue flaps and then provides an up to date overview of literature relating to anaesthesia for both free flaps and pedicle flap reconstructions. This is combined with clinical experience gained at our own cancer institution.