title: Long-Term Surgical Complications in the Oral Cancer Patient: a Comprehensive Review. Part II.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surgery remains the preferred treatment for the majority of oral cancers. The aim of the present article was to provide a comprehensive review of complications associated with surgical treatment of oral cancer including hardware failure; complications associated with choice of reconstruction, donor site morbidity as well as functional and aesthetic issues that impact on the quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  The available English language literature relevant to complications associated with surgical treatment of oral cancer was reviewed. Complications associated with potential for disfigurement, choice of reconstruction, donor site morbidity as well as functional and aesthetic issues that impact on the quality of life are summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total 35 literature sources were obtained and reviewed. The topics covered in the second part of this review series include hardware failure, scars and fistula formation; complications associated with choice of reconstruction, donor site morbidity as well as functional and aesthetic issues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cancer resection should be planned around two very important concepts. First and foremost is the eradication of disease. This should be the ultimate goal of the ablative team and all potential complications that may be the result of appropriately executed oncologic resection should be discussed in details with the patient. Adequate reconstruction of the defects with restoration of form and function is the second, but not of less importance, goal for the successful care of the head and neck cancer patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago USA.
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kolokythas
keywords: donor site complications; fistula.; hardware failure; oral cancer; postoperative surgical complications; scarring