Immediate post-operative care on high dependency unit or ward following microvascular free tissue transfer: lessons learnt from a change in practice imposed during the Covid 19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in sudden changes to the established practice of using high dependency (HDU) for the first night of postoperative care following microvascular free tissue transfer. Patients were managed instead on the head and neck ward. This retrospective case-note review aimed to report outcomes in consecutive patients treated before and during the pandemic and to reflect on the implications of ward-based care rather than HDU. 235 patients had free tissue transfer between 3rd January 2019 and 25th February 2021, 125 before the pandemic (lockdown 23rd March 2020), and 110 during the pandemic (52 ward
managed and 58 HDU managed). There were subtle case-mix differences during the pandemic, with 92% of ward treated patients having oral cancers compared with 64% of HDU patients and 73% of ward patients having a tracheostomy compared with 40% of HDU patients. Ward patients were less likely to receive electrolyte replacement (45% HDU Vs 0% Ward) and inotropes (12% HDU Vs 2% Ward). There were fewer returns to theatre for evacuation of haematoma or re-anastomosis during the pandemic than before. Other than fewer haematoma complications occurring during the pandemic the nature of complications
was similar. In conclusion, the dramatic changes imposed by the pandemic have shown the ward to be a safe place for patients to be cared for immediately post-operatively and this alleviates bed pressures experienced in HDU. Careful case selection and clear criteria are required to identify patients needing HDU.