Table 1 Baseline and characteristics of the included studies

Guidera (2013) [14]

New Zealand

Retrospective cohort

54

60.92 (21.07)

Mandible, maxilla, buccal mucosa, floor of mouth, hard palate, retromolar trigone, anterior 2/3rd of the tongue

Ulnar forearm, radial forearm, DCIA, and others

48 (88.9%) patients

14.72 (7.50)^a

Early oral feeding is associated with shorter hospital stay and can improve postoperative outcome

Kerawala (2021) [23]

UK

Prospective cohort

400

62.15 (12.81)

228 (57%)

Fibula, DCIA, scapular donor sites, radial forearm free flap, anterolateral thigh flap

52 (13%) patients

16.1 (35.01)^a

Early oral feeding is associated with shorter hospital stay and does not increase risk of perioperative complications

Stramiello (2021) [24]

United States

Retrospective cohort

104

62.29 (13.66)

68 (65.3%)

Site of H&N mucosal surgical defect:oral cavity, pharynx, larynx

Fibula, anterolateral thigh, osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap, fasciocutaneous radial forearm free flap

90

Early feeding does not increase risk of fistula and can improve swallowing function earlier

Le (2022) [25]

United States

Retrospective cohort

415

58.88 (14.18)

253 (61%)

Mandible, maxilla, tongue, buccal mucosa, floor of mouth

Radial forearm, osteocutaneous radial forearm, fibula, anterolateral thigh, DCIA

338 (81.4%)

761.53 (541.99)

Early oral feeding is safe and is associated with a decreased length of hospitalization

Wu (2022) [26]

China

Randomized controlled trial

128

51.5 (14.22)

76 (59.4%)

Buccal, maxilla

Mandible, tongue, mouth floor, palate, roof of the tongue

Radial forearm, fibula, anterolateral femur, iliac crest

64 (50%)

30

Early oral feeding does not increase incidence of postoperative complications, and it is associated with minimizing pharyngeal pain and reduced hospital stay