Airway Management Following Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction: When is a Tracheostomy Necessary?

Abstract

Head and neck free flap reconstruction presents complex airway challenges due to postoperative swelling, bleeding, and anatomical distortion that can jeopardize breathing. Many centers once performed routine prophylactic tracheostomy for major cases, yet modern evidence favors a selective strategy. Avoiding an unnecessary tracheostomy when feasible can reduce morbidity, shorten hospital stay, accelerate return to oral intake, and lower cost. Contemporary practice relies on careful intraoperative assessment. Low-risk patients can be extubated immediately or after brief observation, whereas high-risk features-extensive tongue or base of tongue resection, bilateral neck dissection, bulky flap, or marked edema-mandate a tracheostomy to avert obstruction. There is new update to TRACHY (an acronym that represents Tumor extent, Reconstruction type, Airway anatomy, Coexisting conditions, History of prior treatment, and bilateral neck dissection "lateralitY") scoring systems and risk stratification tools, which assign risk points to support decisions. Once a tracheostomy is placed, decannulation proceeds when airway patency is secure, the patient is alert with a strong cough, the surgical site is stable, swallowing is safe or alternative feeding is available, capping trials are successful, and the multidisciplinary team agrees. A tailored approach therefore balances airway safety with the benefits of tracheostomy avoidance, optimizing outcomes for patients undergoing complex head and neck reconstruction.

Keywords: airway management; decannulation criteria; free flap reconstruction; head and neck surgery; tracheostomy.