Head and Neck Reconstruction

Deformities of the head and neck can be devastating, both aesthetically and functionally. These deformities are often caused by benign tumours or cancer. Removal of these growths without reconstruction may affect a patient’s ability to speak and swallow, greatly impacting their quality of life. Head and neck reconstruction is often required to limit the deformities of the cheeks, nose, eyelids, forehead, ears, jaw, chin, tongue, palate, neck and esophagus. Surgery endeavours to mitigate problems related to cancer resection. The major goal of reconstructive surgery is to maintain as much function as possible. 

Microvascular head and neck reconstruction is a technique for rebuilding the face and neck using blood vessels, bone and tissue, including muscle and skin from other parts of the body. The technique is one of the most advanced surgical options available for rehabilitating surgical defects that are caused by the removal of head and neck tumours. This technique involves harvesting flaps of healthy tissue with the blood supply from remote sites in the body. The tissue is then transferred to reconstruct the affected area of the head and neck. A microscope is used to suture the blood vessels of the flap to blood vessels in the neck, allowing the tissue to live as if it were back in its original location.