J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 100(9): 544-546, 1999

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Feature topic

RECENT ADVANCE IN HEAD AND NECK RECONSTRUCTION

The clinical application of microvascular free-flap transfers in reconstructive surgery has expanded tremendously since their introduction. Difficult reconstruction in the head and neck region can now be accomplished in a one-stage procedure using these techniques.
Free flaps such as rectus abdominis, forearm, and scapular flap have been used frequently in this region because of their many advantages. They have a long vascular pedicle of a large-caliber vessel with anatomic stability and have ample blood supply. It is easy to harvest, and donor site morbidity is negligible.
However, further improvement and refinement of surgical procedures are required to obtain better functional results and increase patients' quality of life. In this article, we describe the most recent concepts and techniques in head and neck reconstruction.

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