Oncoplastic Reconstructive Surgery For Head and Neck Tijuana

Removing tumors, affected tissues, and other structures is sometimes necessary to effectively treat head and neck cancers. However, even necessary removal can produce issues with function and appearance. Complex head and neck reconstructive surgery rebuild defects in the neck or face that result from initial surgery to remove harmful tissues.

Why is oncoplastic reconstructive surgery performed for the head and neck?

This surgery aims to restore function, appearance, and personal comfort to those undergoing head and neck cancer treatment. Oncoplastic surgery for the head and neck improves the appearance and function of the following:

Face
Skull
Jaws
Ears

Surgery may also be necessary when wounds do not heal as expected or following treatment for malignant or benign tumors affecting the following:

Mouth and adjacent oral cavity
Salivary glands
Tongue
Larynx
Pharynx
Jaw
Sinuses

What to Expect Before and during oncoplastic reconstructive surgery for head and neck

The Ariel Center surgical team will prepare you with information regarding what you can and can’t do before reconstructive surgery. This includes information about eating, drinking, and taking medication. Adhering to these instructions will minimize some risks associated with oncoplastic surgery and ensure optimal results.

Your care team can also tell you what to expect during your recovery and which types of services you may need to help you regain lost functions post-op. Examples include physical, speech, or occupational therapy.

Many procedures involve tissues, muscles, skin, and blood vessels from other body parts. Grafts or flaps are transferred from the donation site to the affected area.

A skin graft procedure transfers a patch of healthy skin to another location on the body to cover the large wound or area with missing or damaged skin. An example is how a split-thickness graft involves layers of skin close to the surface, while a full-thickness graft uses all layers for minor facial defects. A composite skin graft uses fat tissues and underlying cartilage for wounds and imperfections with a complex shape.

Alternatively, tissue and blood vessels may be transferred from one part of the body to the affected part of the head or neck. These “flaps” can be either local or regional: a local flap uses skin close to the defect or wound, while a regional flap is transferred with a blood vessel attached from the original site.

Microvascular reconstruction moves tissue from body parts away from the transfer site and reconnects the blood supply at the new site. An example of this would be how:

If the skull base needs to be reconstructed, abdominal or back muscles may be used as part of free muscle transfer.
For upper jaw or mid-face reconstruction, part of a rib or calf bone is used
The tongue, head, neck or neck skin, nasal lining, or pharynx may be corrected with tissues from a forearm or thigh

Head and neck reconstructive surgery is exceedingly complex; as such, it generally follows healing from the initial surgery that removed the problem growth. Reconstruction surgery may be divided into more minor procedures, and Dr. Rancati may perform additional cosmetic procedures.

Risks & Recovery

All surgical procedures carry some risks. For oncoplastic reconstructive surgery for the head and neck, consider the following risks:

A temporary tracheotomy is sometimes necessary for maintaining breathing capabilities during reconstruction
Infections at the incision sites
Blood clots
Complications associated with anesthesia

Your downtime, recovery, and rehabilitation needs may vary based on the extent of your head and neck surgery. Minor reconstruction, such as a local flap procedure, may only require a couple of days in the hospital, while more extensive surgery requires a longer hospital stay and extended recovery.

You must know that after surgery, you won’t face recovery alone. Our clinical staff is here to return every phone call and answer every question if complications develop during recovery. Dr. Rancati can tell you when to expect swelling and bruising to subside and answer your questions if something is unclear or doesn’t look or feel right.

The Ariel Center

The Ariel Center is inside of the prestigious International Institute of Metabolic Medicine IIMM which also harbors the world-renowned Obesity Control Center, which has received multiple certifications.

JCI Center of Excellence The Ariel Center is in the facility shared with world-acclaimed Obesity Control Center, one of only a few hospitals in Mexico to have achieved the designation as a Joint International Commission “Center of Excellence.” This honor is only bestowed on medical centers that offer the highest standards of care and offers an exceptionally high concentration of medical expertise, exceeding standards found in many US or Canada-based hospitals.
Global Healthcare Accreditation This accreditation is only awarded to medical facilities that meet strict standards of quality for patient care, specifically for patients who travel to other countries to undergo surgery or other medical treatments.
UCSD Partnership The IIMM, or International Institute of Metabolic Medicine, an organization sharing our state-of-the-art facility, has established a groundbreaking partnership with the Department of Surgery at the University of California in San Diego.

Oncoplastic Reconstructive Surgery For Head and Neck

Why is oncoplastic reconstructive surgery performed for the head and neck?

What to Expect Before and during oncoplastic reconstructive surgery for head and neck

Risks & Recovery

The Ariel Center

The Ariel Center is inside of the prestigious International Institute of Metabolic Medicine IIMM which also harbors the world-renowned Obesity Control Center, which has received multiple certifications.

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