The ability to transfer composite tissues by microvascular anstomoses has opened up new possibilities for reconstruction of the head and neck. Although regional local and musculocutaneous flaps are still the standard in head and neck reconstruction, there are specific indications and situations in which a microvascular flap offers distinsct advantages and should be the first choice.
We have presented 11 cases of free flaps for the reconstruction of head and neck from July, 1981 to June, 1984 in the Seoul National University Hospital. The causes which need free flaps are as follows: 3 cases of traumatic alopecia(postburn), 1 case of post -irradiation hemifacial atrophy after-X-ray treatment at childhood, 1 case of progressive hemifacial atrophy (Romberg’s disease), 4 cases of bony defects of mandible, and 2 case of severe neck scar contracture. We have uses free parieto-occipital flaps for the reconstruction of the anterior hair line in the alopecia, omental flaps for the face in the hemifacial atrophy , osteocutaneous groin flaps for the bony defects of the mandible, and groin flaps for the release of the severe scar contracture of the neck.
We also have discussed advantages and some limitations of the microvascular free flaps for the release of the severe scar contracture of the neck.
We also have discussed advantages and some limitations of the microvascular free flaps for the reconstruction of head and neck in this paper.
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