When to Consider Head-Neck Cancer Reconstruction in Tampa
Among the indications for head-neck cancer reconstruction, the most prominent include tumor stage and prognosis; available reconstructive donor sites; and patient age, sex, body habitus, and functional status. Malignant tumors of the head and neck that may require reconstruction involve the face, scalp, ears, tongue, throat, nose, glands of the face and neck, or the mouth.
Your Head-Neck Cancer Reconstruction
Often, reconstructive surgery is performed at the time of cancer removal. Cancer of the head and neck is sometimes found on the skin surface, making surgical removal relatively simple and easy. More extensive reconstruction becomes necessary if the tumor is larger or involves parts of the body that are more difficult to treat like the oral or nasal cavity, or the eye.
As with other reconstruction procedures, the number of surgical approaches used in head-neck cancer reconstruction is great. Among these commonly used procedures are the following:
- Pedicled flaps
- Free tissue transfer flaps
- Primary closure
- Composite grafts
- Skin grafting
- Microsurgery
Small tumors can often be closed by primary closure in which Dr. Albear sews the edges of the incision together. For larger wounds, skin grafts from other parts of the body may be needed. Still larger and deeper defects often require muscle or bone transfer, or skin flaps, especially to reconstruct nasal and oral passages. Microsurgery may be used in combination with any of these techniques, but particularly in flap surgery.
What Happens After Surgery?
Because of the wide variation in the wound severity involved in head and neck cancer reconstruction, there is no single list of expected aftercare procedures. Many patients will spend at least one night in the hospital after surgery, though others may be able to return home shortly after the procedure.
To learn more about the benefits, costs or possible side effects of head-neck cancer reconstruction in Tampa, contact Pasco County plastic surgeon Dr. Albear for a personal consultation. His office is located in Wesley Chapel, which is convenient for those in the Tampa Bay area.
