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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