Total Maxillectomy and Free Flap Reconstruction in Hemodialysis Patients: Report of Two Cases

Currently, an increasing number of patients are undergoing hemodialysis. However, little is known regarding the outcome or perioperative management of head and neck cancer reconstruction in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Here, we report two cases of patients with maxillary squamous cell carcinoma undergoing hemodialysis. The patients underwent total maxillectomy and free abdominal flap transfer. A short-thread double-needle was used in one patient because arterial calcification and intimal dissection were observed during microvascular anastomosis. Maintenance hemodialysis was performed the day before and after the surgery. Nafamostat mesylate, an ultra-short acting anticoagulant, was used in the postoperative hemodialysis for 2–3 weeks to prevent bleeding. The flaps survived completely, and no major postoperative complications occurred in either case. One patient showed no evidence of disease at 1 year following the surgery, whereas the other patient died of cancer metastasis 6 months following the surgery. Although further standardization of perioperative hemodialysis management is needed, free flap reconstruction could be considered a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing hemodialysis.