Microvascular Reconstruction Of The Head And Neck

Microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck is a technique used to rehabilitate the face and neck by employing blood vessels, bone, and tissue, which encompasses muscle and skin obtained from different areas of the body.This technique represents one of the most sophisticated surgical alternatives available for addressing surgical defects resulting from the excision of head and neck tumors.

Why and when Microvascular Reconstruction Of The Head And Neck is recommended?

Microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck is employed to address cancers located in the head and neck regions, such as those affecting the larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, calvarium, sinuses, tongue, and skin. Typically, cancer treatment encompasses a combination of surgical procedures, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, each of which may lead to considerable side effects related to the treatment. The treatment of head and neck cancer can affect the visual aesthetics of the face and neck, as well as several functions such as speech, vision, smell, swallowing, and taste. Microvascular surgical methods are employed to return the head, face, and neck to a state that closely resembles normal appearance. The technique is also employed to address various other conditions, including:

• Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible, a severe complication arising from radiation therapy directed at the head and neck.

• Oronasal fistula, which refers to an abnormal opening between the oral cavity and the nasal cavity.

• Nasal obstruction.

• Trismus, characterized by the involuntary contraction of the muscles involved in mastication.

• Velopharyngeal insufficiency, a disorder that leads to inadequate closure of the velopharyngeal sphincter (the soft palate muscle in the mouth) during speech.

• Irregularities in the contour of the face and neck that may occur post-surgery.

• Persistent wounds in the head and neck region.

• Nasal stenosis or deformities that may develop following cancer surgery.

How does Microvascular Reconstruction Of The Head And Neck differ from other treatment options?

The procedure entails the extraction of flaps of healthy tissue — specifically from areas where the tissue is less critical — along with their blood supply from distant locations within the body. Subsequently, the tissue is relocated to the recipient wound bed, where it proves significantly more beneficial in reconstructing the compromised area of the head and neck. A microscope is utilized to meticulously stitch the blood vessels of the flap to those in the neck, facilitating the tissue's survival as if it were restored to its original site.

How is life after Microvascular Reconstruction Of The Head And Neck ? 

Microvascular reconstruction is an intricate surgical procedure employed to restore regions of the face, jaw, or neck following the excision of cancerous tissue or as a result of trauma. This technique entails the transfer of healthy tissue — which may consist of bone, skin, or muscle — from a different area of the body (such as the leg or forearm) and the meticulous connection of its blood vessels using a microscope. Post-surgery, the majority of patients are able to regain a satisfactory quality of life with appropriate care and rehabilitation.