title: Surgical reconstruction in patients with cancer of the head and neck.
abstract: Reconstructive surgical techniques have greatly changed the treatment approach for patients with cancer of the head and neck. These techniques provide head and neck surgeons the flexibility of performing tumor resection without concerns about the repair of the final defect and significantly increase the quality of life in patients who have undergone ablative surgery by providing better cosmetic and functional outcome after cancer resection. Reconstruction of the defects after ablative surgery for head and neck cancer includes various options, and each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Techniques for head and neck reconstruction are summarized in this article along with recent advances in their application.
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 543, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. vuralemrea@uams.edu
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vural
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D014945:Wound Healing