Head and Neck Reconstruction at the Emory Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center

The removal of cancerous tumors from the head and neck and the damage caused by certain types of trauma may affect patients' ability to speak and swallow. To restore as much functionality as possible to these affected regions, Emory plastic and reconstructive surgeons apply a variety of methods including free tissue transfer, which involves transplanting living tissue from one region of the patient's body to another. Available procedures include: 

Mandibular Reconstruction

This procedure restores oral function by transferring skin and bone from the leg, hip or back to the mandibular defect after which blood vessels are re-attached microscopically.

Intra-oral Reconstruction

To reconstruct oral defects of the tongue or floor of the mouth following cancer resection, local muscle flaps from the chest or back are often used.

Esophageal Reconstruction

The esophagus is often reconstructed using a small portion of the intestine (jejunal flap) as a free tissue transfer to maintain a tube from the mouth to the stomach for feeding.

Cranial Reconstruction

Coverage of scalp defects often requires bony reconstruction of the skull and coverage with large local flaps or a free tissue transfer of muscle or omentum.

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