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Review
. 2023 Jun 24;59(7):1194.
doi: 10.3390/medicina59071194.

Innovative Strategies in Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction

Z-Hye Lee  1 , Tarek Ismail  2 , John W Shuck  1 , Edward I Chang  1
Affiliations
Review

Innovative Strategies in Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction

Z-Hye Lee et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

The field of reconstructive microsurgery has witnessed considerable advancements over the years, driven by improvements in technology, imaging, surgical instruments, increased understanding of perforator anatomy, and experience with microsurgery. However, within the subset of microvascular head and neck reconstruction, novel strategies are needed to improve and optimize both patient aesthetics and post-operative function. Given the disfiguring defects that are encountered following trauma or oncologic resections, the reconstructive microsurgeon must always aim to innovate new approaches, reject historic premises, and challenge established paradigms to further achieve improvement in both aesthetic and functional outcomes. The authors aim to provide an up-to-date review of innovations in head and neck reconstruction for oncologic defects.

Keywords: alternate donor site; immediate dental implants; innovation head and neck reconstruction; virtual surgical planning.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Printed plate with three-segment fibula planned to utilize VSP demonstrating precise osteotomy alignment between segments.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Free medial femoral trochlea flap and free fibula flow through flap for ramus and condylar reconstruction.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Osteocutaneous, sensated fibula flap and sural nerve graft for inferior alveolar nerve reconstruction. (b) The inferior alveolar nerve was reconstructed with a sural nerve graft. Distal nerve coaptation is covered with a fibrin wrap.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Osteocutaneous, sensated fibula flap and sural nerve graft for inferior alveolar nerve reconstruction. (b) The inferior alveolar nerve was reconstructed with a sural nerve graft. Distal nerve coaptation is covered with a fibrin wrap.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) Virtual surgical plan with computer-assisted design and computer-assisted modeling (CAD-CAM) for 3D printed midface and orbital floor plate. (b) Intra-operative flap fixation to 3D-printed plate with two skin island design.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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