Publication:

Reconstructive techniques in head and neck malignancies

Background Head and neck malignancies are of common occurrence in India requiring early diagnosis for effective reconstruction by various surgical techniques. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pattern of involvement of head and neck malignancies and to evaluate various surgical resection and reconstruction techniques used in the management of head and neck malignancies.

Methods This is a retrospective study carried out in the Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery And Surgical Oncology, Karnataka Institute Of Medical Sciences, Hubballi, from July 2015 to December 2016. All patients who underwent surgery for head and neck malignancy were included in our study.

Results Retrospective analysis of our study yielded 36 cases of which 29 patients were male and 7 were female. In our study commonest age group was 6th and 7th decade constituting 55.55%. The most common site involved was oral cavity constituting about 63.88%. The most common sub-site in oral cavity malignancy was found to be anterior 2/3rdof tongue (25%), followed by lip and buccal mucosa each of which constituted 13.88%.

Conclusions In our study oral cavity was the most common site to be involved in head and neck malignancies, of which anterior 2/3rd of tongue is the most common sub-site. Majority of the patients underwent tumour resection with flap reconstruction. Locoregional flaps form an efficient alternative in cases where primary closure is not possible without compromising the aesthetic outcomes.