What is head and neck reconstruction surgery?
                     What is Head and Neck 
Reconstruction Surgery?
Introduction to Head and Neck 
Reconstruction
 Head and neck reconstruction surgery involves 
procedures to restore the appearance and function 
of defects or deformities in the head and neck 
region.
 It addresses complex areas including the face, 
jaws, mouth, throat, neck, scalp, and ears.
 The primary goal is to improve a patient's quality 
of life, enabling easier breathing, eating, 
speaking, and boosting self-esteem.
Common Reasons for Reconstruction
 Cancer Treatment: Surgical removal of tumors 
often results in significant tissue loss.
 Trauma: Injuries from accidents, burns, or 
violence can cause extensive damage.
 Congenital Abnormalities: Birth defects 
affecting facial structures or other head/neck 
areas.
 Previous Surgeries: Repair or revision needed 
after prior interventions.
The Diagnostic and Planning Phase
 Comprehensive Evaluation: Includes detailed 
physical exams, patient history, and advanced 
imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans).
 Multidisciplinary Team Approach: Collaboration is 
key, involving oncologists, plastic surgeons, ENT 
surgeons, radiologists, speech therapists, and 
prosthodontists.
 Tailored Treatment Plan: A personalized strategy is 
developed based on the defect's size, location, 
depth, and the patient's overall health and 
functional needs.
Surgical Techniques: Local and Regional 
Options
 Skin Grafts: Thin or thick layers of skin taken from a donor site on the 
patient's body to cover superficial defects.
 Local Tissue Flaps: Moving adjacent skin, fat, and muscle to the 
defect site, preserving its original blood supply.
 Regional Flaps: Tissue transferred from a slightly more distant area, 
often with a larger blood vessel pedicle.
Surgical Techniques: Free Flaps and Bone 
Grafts
 Free Flaps: Tissue (skin, muscle, bone) is 
completely detached from its original blood 
supply and transferred to the defect, with its 
vessels meticulously reconnected under a 
microscope (microsurgery).
 Bone Grafts: Used to reconstruct bony defects in 
the jaws, orbits, or skull, often taken from the 
patient's own fibula, tibia, or scapula.
The Role of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
 Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery specialists are 
uniquely trained to address complex defects of 
the head and neck.
 They possess expertise in microsurgery, tissue 
engineering, and aesthetic principles to restore 
both function and form.
 They play a crucial role in multidisciplinary 
cancer centers, such as those found at leading 
institutions like Action Cancer Hospital', to 
provide comprehensive patient care.
Outcomes and Recovery
 Recovery varies significantly based on the extent of the surgery and 
the patient's overall health.
 Post-operative care may include wound management, physical 
therapy, speech therapy, and nutritional support.
 Long-term follow-up is essential to monitor healing, assess functional 
outcomes, and address any complications.
 Patients can expect significant improvements in function and 
appearance, leading to a better quality of life.
Conclusion: Restoring Hope and Function
 Head and neck reconstruction is a 
complex but highly rewarding field of 
surgery.
 Advanced techniques and a 
multidisciplinary approach enable the 
restoration of crucial functions and 
aesthetics.
 Specialized centers and skilled 
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery teams 
offer patients the best chance for 
successful outcomes.
CONTACT US 
• 011-49-222-222 
• [email protected] 
• www.actioncancerhospital.com
 • A - 4, Paschim Vihar, Near Paschim Vihar 
East Metro Station New Delhi - 110063