Caputo MP, Shabani S, Mhaskar R, et al. - Given that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for surgical complications and a common comorbidity in the setting of head and neck (H&N) cancer, experts aspired to explore whether DM is associated with increased rates of H&N cancer surgery complications. Pubmed, Embase, and the national clinical trials database were searched focusing on H&N cancer surgery or free flap reconstruction and diabetes. Of the 272 results from Pubmed and 559 from Embase, 16 studies were selected for inclusion. Meta‐analysis showed DM was linked to increased rates of flap failure and local complications. Although DM is associated with increased risk of flap failure and complications of local H&N cancer surgery, more work is required to improve treatment within this population.