Skip to main content
AAO-HNSF 2023 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.

Head and Neck Surgery

Oral Cavity Reconstruction: The Microvascular Tipping Point

Tuesday, October 3, 2023
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Ballroom C2

    Panelist(s)

  • MA

    Marianne Abouyared, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of California, Davis
    Sacramento, California, United States

    • Moderator(s)

  • Kyle M. Hatten, MD

    Associate Professor
    University of Maryland School of Medicine
    Baltimore, MD, United States

    • Panelist(s)

  • Nina Lu, MD

    Assistant Professor
    UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
    SEATTLE, WA, United States

  • JZ

    Joseph Zenga, MD

    Director, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Reconstruction
    Medical College of Wisconsin
    Mequon, WI, United States

Disclosure(s):
Marianne Abouyared, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Kyle M. Hatten, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Joseph Zenga, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Head and neck reconstruction has shifted to increasingly utilize microvascular reconstruction as the versatility and reliability of free flaps have improved over time. However, earlier steps of the reconstructive ladder are often optimal for smaller volume defects of the oral cavity. Skin grafts, local flaps, and regional tissue transfer afford the benefit of minimal donor site morbidity and avoid the need for microvascular expertise with smaller volume defects. The panelist will review the appropriate indications for various oral cavity reconstructive defects and define the “tipping point” when a free flap may be required. In addition, the presentation will provide technique for optimal outcomes for various reconstructive surgeries including skin grafts, regional flaps, and microvascular reconstruction.

This topic will be handled through a panel presentation that will include both didactic and interactive components. A brief introduction will review classifications schemas of various defects of the oral cavity based on key features of the defects (10 minutes). This will be followed by a moderated three case discussion with experts input analyzing the reconstructive subsite including the oral tongue/floor of mouth, buccal mucosa and hard palate. Discussion among the panelists regarding reconstructive options will result in a consensus statement on the “tipping point” for free flaps.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Identify the classification schemas of oral cavity defects

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Demonstrate reconstructive indications and limitations of local, regional, and free flap reconstruction of oral cavity defects

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Identify the tipping point for required for microvascular reconstruction of oral cavity defect

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: There is a need to identify the threshold for performing free tissue transfer reconstruction for many general otolaryngologist who are interested in treating early stage oral cavity cancer.