Microsurgery for Head and Neck Reconstruction

The most serious complication of free flap transfer is total flap necrosis, which is usually due to a microvascular problem. The development of a microsurgical instrument has greatly lowered the prevalence of postoperative vascular trouble to a rate of 1% to 3%. However, necrosis of the transferred flap in head and neck reconstruction can cause serious complications and postoperative functional deficiency. Therefore, for blood circulation disorder of the flap following free flap transfer, it is necessary to perform re-operation, as soon as possible, in order to attempt salvaging the flap after the disorder has been diagnosed. The goal of this study was to analyze the microsurgery for head and neck reconstruction. The author, with an experience of more than 500 microsurgical anastomoses, discusses microsurgery in head and neck reconstruction through the choices of recipient vessels, aspects that require attention in order to prevent vascular complications, and correspondence when complications occur.