@article{JOMA8008,
author = {Francesco Parrinello and Marco Ventura and Alessandro Bacuzzi and Dimitri Rabbiosi and Luca Sedran and Gabriele Selmo and Martina Baiardo Redaelli and Luca Guzzetti},
title = {Current concepts in anesthetic management for head and neck oncologic surgery and reconstruction: a narrative review},
journal = {Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Anesthesia},
volume = {5},
number = {0},
year = {2026},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Background and Objective: Reconstructive maxillofacial surgery for head and neck tumors is a complex setting that requires close integration between surgical and anesthetic management. This review aims to summarize current evidence on perioperative care, focusing on airway management, intraoperative strategies, and postoperative outcomes.Methods: In January 2026, a focused literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, ClinicalKey, the Kaiser Permanente online library, Wiley Online Library, UpToDate, and Cochrane to identify publications from January 2001 through December 2025 concerning perioperative anesthetic management in reconstructive head and neck surgery. Eligible publications included randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, scoping reviews, cohort studies, and reports describing institutional perioperative practices. Studies were considered for inclusion if they were published in English, available in full text online, and relevant to the objectives of the reviewKey Content and Findings: Available evidence highlights the importance of a structured and multidisciplinary approach. Careful preoperative assessment, especially of the airway, is essential. Intraoperatively, maintaining hemodynamic stability and adequate perfusion is crucial for flap survival. The choice of anesthetic technique appears less important than overall physiological management. Postoperative care, including airway management and flap monitoring, also plays a key role in outcomes.Conclusions: Perioperative management should be individualized and multidisciplinary. An evidence-based approach remains essential to improve safety and surgical outcomes in this high-risk population.},
issn = {2790-8852}, url = {https://joma.amegroups.org/article/view/8008}
}