Microvascular reconstruction

Microsurgery is very delicate and precise surgery performed under a specialised operating microscope that allows the operator to see and suture small structures including blood vessels and nerves.

Dr Laura Wang is one a very a few Head and Neck Surgeons in Sydney who has undergone dedicated training to perform these intricate procedures.

Microsurgery reconstruction or free flap or free tissue transfer is surgery to reconstruction wounds that cannot be closed by traditional methods such as suturing or using tissues near to the wound. Examples of tissues that may be transferred from other parts of the body include skin, muscle, fat, bone, intestine and omentum. Dr Wang will use this technique to restore wounds after treatment of Head and Neck cancers when necessary. 

Following microsurgery free flap surgery you should expect to be in hospital 5-10 days. You will be monitored closely in that time to assess blood flow to the transferred tissue.  Doppler ultrasound, either externally or implanted internally will be used provide additional information to the surgical wound.