Postoperative medical complications--not microsurgical complications--negatively influence the morbidity, mortality, and true costs after microsurgical reconstruction for head and neck cancer.

Background: Immediate reconstruction of composite head and neck defects using free tissue transfer is an accepted treatment standard. There remains, however, ongoing debate on whether the costs associated with this reconstructive approach merit its selection, especially considering poor patient prognoses and the high cost of care.

Methods: A retrospective review of the last 100 consecutive patients undergoing microsurgical reconstruction for head and neck cancer by the two senior surgeons was performed to determine whether microsurgical complications or postoperative medical complications had the more profound influence on morbidity and mortality outcomes and the true costs of these reconstructions.

Comprehensive rhinoplasty technique to correct the bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity using conchal composite grafts.

Introduction: Anatomical abnormalities and heterogeneous tissue deficiencies of the bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity challenges the cranio-maxillofacial plastic surgeon to create a functional, yet aesthetically pleasing nose. The authors propose a comprehensive rhinoplasty technique to correct the bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity using composite conchal grafts.

Patients: Five children with bilateral cleft lip nasal deformities had nasal reconstruction using conchal composite grafts, averaging 5 years in age at time of surgery.

Reconstruction of composite through-and-through mandibular defects with a double-skin paddle fibular osteocutaneous flap.

Microsurgical reconstruction of composite through-and-through defects of the oral cavity involving mucosa, bone, and external skin has often required two free flaps or double-skin paddle scapular or radial forearm flaps for successful functional and aesthetic outcomes. A safe, reliable technique using a double-skin paddle fibular osteocutaneous flap to restore the intraoral lining, mandibular bone, and external skin is described. A large elliptical or rectangular skin paddle is designed 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the fibula, over the junction of the middle and distal thirds of the lower leg, based only on the posterolateral septocutaneous perforators.