Surgical
Procedures
Reconstructive Micro-surgery
Head and Neck
Many complex facial and head and neck reconstructive problems
may be best solved with free flap transfer. Congenital anomalies,
such as hemifacial microsomia, and other soft tissue defects
of the face may be reconstructed with a flap from the back (scapular
flap). Some acquired diseases, such as Rhomberg’s
disease are especially amenable to such reconstruction. These
cases truly create an interface between reconstructive and cosmetic
surgery which requires significant experience.
Rhomberg’s disease with
free flap
|
|
|
|
|
After resection of the mandible for cancer or a traumatic loss,
vascularized fibula or scapula may be the reconstruction of
choice.
If facial animation is lost, vascularized and innervated muscle
may be transferred from other locations to replace the motor
loss.
Free flaps may also be utilized to reconstruct losses of the
oral cavity, pharynx or esophagus. The tissue most frequently
utilized is a piece of small intestine. Dr. Dabb was the first
surgeon to obtain this tissue endoscopically and to also use
it as a "split" flap to give soft tissue coverage
of an irradiated wound.
Free
Flap Reconstruction Post-Radiation |
 |
 |
|
|
