Reconstructive & Microvascular Surgery

Reconstructive and microvascular surgery play a crucial role in restoring function and appearance following cancer surgery in the head and neck region.

Advanced techniques ensure optimal recovery and improved quality of life for patients undergoing complex surgical procedures.

Overview

Head and neck cancer surgery often involves the removal of tumours from critical structures such as the tongue, jaw, throat, or skin. Reconstructive surgery is performed to restore both function and aesthetics, enabling patients to regain speech, swallowing, and facial symmetry. Depending on the extent of tissue loss, reconstruction can range from simple local tissue rearrangement to complex microvascular free flap transfers.

Causes

  • Surgical removal of head and neck cancers (e.g., oral cavity cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, skin cancer)

Symptoms and Challenges

  • Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing after cancer surgery
  • Facial deformity or asymmetry
  • Loss of soft tissue, bone, or nerve function
  • Psychological and social impact due to changes in appearance

Risk Factors for Complex Reconstruction

  • Extensive tumour removal requiring large tissue replacement
  • Previous radiation therapy, which affects healing
  • Multiple prior surgeries
  • Medical conditions that may affect recovery, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease

Simple Reconstruction

  • Primary Closure – Directly stitching the wound closed when tissue loss is minimal
  • Local Flaps – Using adjacent skin and muscle to cover small defects
  • Skin Grafts – Transplanting skin from another part of the body to cover the affected area
Complex Reconstruction with Microvascular Surgery
  • Free Flap Surgery – Transplanting tissue, including skin, muscle, bone, and blood vessels, from another part of the body to reconstruct defects (e.g., fibula free flap for jaw reconstruction, radial forearm free flap for tongue reconstruction)
  • Nerve Grafting – Restoring nerve function in cases of facial paralysis or nerve damage
  • Bone Reconstruction – Using microvascular bone flaps for jaw or skull reconstruction
  • Speech and Swallowing Therapy – Essential for patients who undergo oral or throat reconstruction
  • Physical Therapy – Helps restore movement and function in reconstructed areas
  • Psychosocial Support – Addressing emotional and psychological well-being post-surgery

Conclusion

Dr Laura Wang specialises in reconstructive and microvascular surgery, offering advanced techniques to restore function and aesthetics after head and neck cancer surgery. She works conjunction with a Head and Neck multidisciplinary team of medical, surgical and allied health specialists to coordinate your care.  If you require reconstructive surgery following tumour removal, book a consultation today to discuss your personalised treatment options.

Dr Laura Wang is a highly-experienced, fellowship-trained Endocrine and Head & Neck surgeon consulting and operating across Sydney.

Dr Wang holds both a Master of Surgery (MS) Degree and a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in thyroid cancer surgery and performs a high-volume of thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. She was the first surgeon to be dual-trained in both head and neck cancer surgery (for benign and cancerous conditions), as well as microvascular reconstructive surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, which is the oldest cancer hospital in the world (founded in 1884).

Get in touch to book an appointment. Urgent appointments available for cancer patients.

Contact Us
Endocrine and Head & Neck Surgeon
& Reconstructive Microvascular Surgeon
Phone

(02) 8076 4961

Fax

(02) 8080 8146

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