[Reconstruction of tumor induced defects in head and neck surgery with individualized prefabricated three dimensional flaps with the use of continuous vacuum therapy].
Despite recent developments in oncologic head and neck surgery extensive tissue and functional defects following radical tumor resections remains a surgical challenge. Individually prefabricated free flaps to meet the needs of the functional defect can be generated with the help of continuous computer-assisted vacuum therapy. This accelerates the pre-fabrication of three-dimensional composite flaps and enhances therapeutic safety. Changes of the genuine structure of such flaps are induced by implantation of autologous or heterologous transplants alone or in combination with alloplastic materials as a supportive element. Application of vacuum therapy is useful to accelerate the process of pre-fabrication by the induction of angiogenesis. Besides this the continuous removal of wound exudate, possible seroma or haematoma and secondary compression of the different tissue layers improve the modelling of the three-dimensional construct. This article describes the technique of vacuum therapy for the pre-fabrication of three-dimensional pedicled or free flaps for reconstruction of defects after tumor resection in the head and neck area.
Universitäts-HNO-Klinik Freiburg. schipper@hno.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
J
J
Schipper
M
M
Leffler
W
W
Maier
J
J
Kopp
A D
AD
Bach
R E
RE
Horch
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D014618:Vacuum