Abstract
Malignancies in the head and neck region requires multidiscipl inary treatment
and collaboration among head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, an d plastic and
reconstructive surgery, as well as oral surgery, pediatrics, rehabilitation, and psychiatry.
Head and neck reconstruction in children with the use of a free flap is characterized
by small, short blood vessels, a relatively large head, and the need for consideration
of disruption of growth disturbance at the donor site of the fla p. The perforator flap
has less donor site morbidity and is very useful in children. H owever, children have
smaller vessels than adults, requiring supermicrosurgical techniques. Learning of
supermicrosurgical techniques should have an important role in increasing the options
in free flap transfer in children.
