Head & Neck Reconstruction
Advanced restoration of complex facial and cervical structures.
ADVANCED HEAD & NECK RECONSTRUCTION
Head and neck reconstruction restores complex tissue structures following trauma, cancer surgery or major tissue loss.
DR. IRAJ
overview
Head and neck cancers can affect structures responsible for speech, swallowing, breathing and facial appearance. Surgical treatment of these cancers often requires removal of affected tissues in order to achieve complete oncological clearance.
Reconstructive surgery plays a critical role in restoring both function and appearance following cancer treatment.
Plastic surgeons with microsurgical training are able to reconstruct complex defects using specialized techniques that replace tissue removed during cancer surgery.
The goal of reconstruction is to restore essential functions such as speaking, swallowing and breathing while maintaining facial balance and appearance as much as possible.
Specialist Head and Neck Reconstruction
Reconstruction following head and neck cancer surgery can be technically complex and often requires specialized reconstructive techniques.
Dr Iraj Ahmadi is one of a small number of plastic surgeons in the UAE performing complex head and neck reconstruction, including procedures that require microsurgical free tissue transfer.
These operations may involve rebuilding structures of the mouth, jaw, throat and surrounding tissues following cancer removal. In certain cases, microsurgical techniques are used to transfer tissue from another part of the body and reconnect small blood vessels under magnification in order to restore circulation and rebuild the affected area.
This approach allows reconstruction to restore both function and form, helping patients regain essential abilities such as speaking, swallowing and breathing while maintaining facial balance as much as possible.
Conditions Treated
Reconstruction may be required following treatment of cancers affecting structures such as:
• the oral cavity
• tongue
• jaw (mandible)
• throat
• skin of the head and neck
• salivary glands
These cancers often require removal of tissue that is critical for both function and appearance.
Reconstructive surgery aims to restore these structures using techniques tailored to the individual patient and the extent of surgery required.
The goal of reconstruction is not only to restore appearance, but to help patients regain essential functions such as speaking, swallowing and breathing.
AT A GLANCE
Overnight Stay
O DAYS
Final Result
6 MONTHS
Anaesthetic
Duration
1-2 HRS
GENERAL
Reconstructive Techniques
Reconstruction following head and neck cancer surgery may involve a range of techniques depending on the location and size of the defect.
These may include:
• local tissue rearrangement
• regional flaps
• microsurgical free tissue transfer
Microsurgical reconstruction involves transferring tissue from another part of the body and reconnecting the blood vessels under a microscope to restore circulation.
These techniques allow surgeons to reconstruct complex defects involving bone, muscle and skin.
Multidisciplinary Cancer Care
Treatment of head and neck cancers is typically planned through a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach.
This team may include:
• head and neck surgeons
• oncologists
• radiologists
• pathologists
• plastic and reconstructive surgeons
This collaborative approach ensures that cancer treatment and reconstruction are carefully coordinated to achieve the best possible outcomes.
BEFORE AND AFTER
See before and after photos of a successful Head & Neck Surgery.
Comparison of a woman's chest before and after breast surgery showing a reduction and reconstruction, with visible scars in the after image.
Side-by-side photos of a woman before and after breast reconstruction surgery, showing changes in breast size and appearance with visible surgical scars.
Recovery
Recovery following head and neck reconstruction varies depending on the complexity of the surgery and the tissues involved.
Patients are closely monitored during the early stages of healing, particularly when microsurgical reconstruction has been performed.
The focus of recovery is to support healing while gradually restoring essential functions such as speech and swallowing.
Rehabilitation and follow-up care play an important role in optimising long-term outcomes.
GET TO KNOW
DR. IRAJ.
Dr Iraj Ahmadi is a specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose work bridges aesthetic refinement and complex reconstructive surgery.
Alongside this work, his practice spans aesthetic surgery of the face and body as well as reconstructive surgery for cancer, trauma and complex tissue loss.
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