title: Irradiated soft tissue and its management.
abstract: The healing of a surgical wound is significantly affected by radiation. Radiation can affect all cells within its treatment field, thus making irradiated tissue more susceptible to trauma, infection, and irritation. In the irradiated patient, careful preoperative planning and a preventive approach to optimize conditions for wound healing are crucial to minimizing complications. This article describes the principles and management of common complications seen from irradiated soft-tissue wounds of the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis 55415, USA.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hom
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Monyak
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000601:surgery*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000502:physiology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*