Complications of Oral Cancer Surgery Reconstruction

Composite oral resection and neck dissection and reconstruction with local or regional or free flap remains the main modality of treatment in oral cavity cancer. Complications may arise from either surgery for oral cancer itself or because of flap reconstruction. The complication rates are higher in individuals with certain risk factors, such as patient related comorbidities, tumor related factors and external factors such as radiation therapy. This topic highlights certain early and late complications of Oral Resection & Neck Dissection as well as from flap reconstructions. The recognition and avoidance of these potential complications is important to minimize long term sequelae and morbidity associated with it.