WHAT ARE THE DEFECTS OR SITUATIONS WHICH COMMONLY REQUIRES FREE TISSUE TRANSFER?

The following are various head and neck defects that require free tissue transfer:

1. Composite defect of oral cavity.
2. Three layer (through and through) defect of oral cavity.
3. Total or near total pharyngoesophageal defects.
4. Extensive skull base defects.
5. Massive defect not readily addressed with other techniques.
6. Situation where there is lack of other reconstructive options (failure/ patient’s limitation).
7. Salvage surgery to chemo-radiation failure.