Management of complications in head and neck surgery
Recognition of the potential complications during or subsequent to operative procedures about the head and neck allows the surgeon to avoid these problems or to recognize them in their early stages. Most fatalities directly related to the operative management of these patients occur from airway obstruction or from exsanguinating hemorrhage. Although patients with extensive tumor and extensive irradiation induced tissue changes about the head and neck may necessarily succumb from these two complications, fatality from airway obstruction or exsanguinating hemorrhage is avoidable in the patient with early disease. Careful attention to the anatomic structures in the head and neck region allows definitive decisions as to the transection of nerves, avoidance of lymaph fistulas, and proper cancer ablative procedures. Reconstructive concepts which permit removal of irradiated or infected tissues minimize the likelihood of wound breakdown. Preoperative planning of functional problems permits control and reconstruction to minimize the morbidity of postoperative dysphagea, drooling, and cosmetic deformity. Any surgeon undertaking operative procedures about the head and neck must be thoroughly familiar with all of the potential complications and the concepts which wdll allow hdm to avoid and manage these problems with a degree of sophistication in keeping with the current status of modern surgery. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Chicago
- NSA Number:
- NSA-29-000663
- OSTI ID:
- 4420745
- Journal Information:
- Surg. Clin. N. Amer., v. 53, no. 1, pp. 191-201, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-74
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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