Head and Neck

Soft tissue defects about the head and neck can be the result of infection, trauma, skin cancers, and head and neck cancers involving the mouth or other deeper structures and bones.  These latter cancers require a team approach and we do not focus on them.  We do see patients often with advanced skin cancers of the face and scalp that may require local flaps or skin grafts to accomplish closure.  Many of the more challenging cases are exposed skull wounds involving prior radiation therapy which  complicates soft tissue coverage.  Our goal is always to obtain stable soft tissue coverage over the deeper structures to restore form and function.  As in other parts of the body, the deficit or defect dictates the reconstructive solution and depends on what is exposed.  Skin grafts, local skin flaps, local muscle flaps, and microsurgical free flaps may all be indicated.