Osteoradionecrosis is preferably called osteosarcoradionecrosis to adequately cover the scope of the problem: multitissue necrosis. The changes following radiotherapy and leading to necrosis are further classified into 2 phases based…
This article addresses trismus following head and neck cancer ablation and free flap reconstruction whether or not radiotherapy has been utilized. The focus is to achieve durable and favorable outcomes…
Fistulas, either between oral cavity and external face or between oral and nasal cavity, are major complications after microsurgical head and neck reconstruction. Any flaw in surgical planning, design, and…
Microsurgical reconstruction of complex midfacial and maxillectomy defects is among the most challenging procedures in plastic surgery, and it often requires composite flaps to improve functional and aesthetic results. Various…
The risk of surgical site infection (SSI) remains high after major reconstructive surgery of the head and neck. Clinical data regarding SSI in microsurgical tongue reconstruction are described at National…
This article annotates a philosophy toward achieving best results for the patient with head and neck cancer, in particular relating to oral, mandibular, and maxillary resection. At the same time…
Maxillofacial reconstruction surgery largely relies on the use of microsurgical free transfer techniques. Head and neck cancer surgery and ballistic injuries may lead to significant losses of multitissular substances. Even…
This article discusses the lessons learned from nearly 2700 free tissue transfer procedures to reconstruct defects of the head and neck at the University of Washington. It discusses the authors’…
Free tissue transfer to the head and neck in the modern era has a high success rate. To maximize success with reconstructive surgery in the head and neck region, it…
Complex head and neck reconstruction often mandates free tissue transfer to achieve the most optimal outcomes. Unfortunately, such challenging cases are not without risks of complications, the most dreaded of…
Radiation effects on tissues greatly complicate reconstruction of head and neck defects. We discuss the unfavorable surgical conditions set up by prior surgery and radiation in patients undergoing salvage ablation…
The purpose of the current article is to provide an overview of the functional and aesthetic unfavorable results of head and neck reconstruction, and provide suggestions on how to address…
This article provides a lesson-learned approach per site and anatomic structure to head and neck reconstruction. It addresses the most common unfavorable results following successful free flap transfer shedding light…
Analysis of unfavorable results in microsurgical head and neck reconstruction beyond free flap survival is the goal of this article. Unfavorable outcome is the result of poor or inadequate planning,…
Fu-Chan Wei, MD, FACS, Editor Nidal Farhan AL Deek, MSc, MD, Editor Microsurgical reconstruction of the head and neck defects is the gold standard of treatment. Success rates are in…
