^ UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL CENTER, FAIRVIEW UPDATE Head and neck reconstructive surgeons shown from left to right: David Hamlar, Jr., M.D., D.D.S.; Bevan Yueh, M.D., M.P.H., Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology; Samir Khariwala, M.D.; Amy Anne Lassig, M.D.; Frank Ondrey, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. Microvascular Tissue Transfer Restores Form, Function and Appearance for Head and Neck Cancer Patients While all types of cancer have the potential to seriously compromise an individual?s quality of life and ability to function, head and neck cancer can affect traits that essentially define us as individuals, such as our speech and facial appearance. It can also compromise fundamental physiological functions, such as chewing, swallowing and hearing. University of Minnesota Physicians head and neck reconstructive surgeons are helping to abate these difficulties thanks to advances uofmmedicalcenter.org in microvascular tissue transfer, which can restore appearance and function to areas that have been particularly disfigured or disabled. For example, a microvascular tissue transfer ? also known as a ?free flap? transfer ? can rebuild the ablated tongue of a cancer patient to provide normal or near-normal function, form and articulation. Likewise, a rebuilt jawbone can be made strong enough to eventually support dental implants. continues on page 6>> Published quarterly for health care professionals November 2008 vol. 1, issue 2
