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Post-Cancer Reconstruction
Cancer patients face a multitude of physical and mental difficulties coping with their disease. This stress is compounded for individuals who require extensive disfiguring tumor resection. Today, however, advances in microvascular techniques and osseiontegrated implants for facial prosthetic reconstruction allow many patients to return to a normal lifestyle. Innovative microsurgical techniques not only provide skin coverage via microvascular flap reconstruction, but restore function to facilitate speech, eating, and swallowing.
In addition, musculoskeletal tumors in the upper and lower extremities that once required amputation may be treated through limb salvage procedures that incorporate a combination of aggressive chemotherapy, tumor resection that ensures a wide margin free of tumor, immediate implantation of bone allograft or endoprostheses, and microvascular coverage using free tissue transfer.
Genitourinary cancer presents unique challenges for the reconstructive surgeon. Women may be successfully treated for aggressive gynecological malignancies, only to be left with the absence of a vagina. Current reconstructive techniques now allow us to rebuild this critical organ in an attempt to help restore sexual function and rebuild a more normal sense of self.
Working alongside a world-renowned neurosurgical team, members of University Plastic Surgeons Center for Reconstructive Surgery have developed a special expertise in complex skull base reconstruction. Previously unapproachable skull base tumors are now being safely removed and the area of excision simultaneously reconstructed.
Yet, in post-cancer reconstruction, a cure that leaves patients isolated and alone--unable to socialize, incapable of helping themselves--is an empty victory over disease. Our ultimate objective, therefore, is to provide an outcome that enables our patients to rebuild the quality of their lives.
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