Head and Neck Reconstruction in Houston, TX

A cancer diagnosis can be both terrifying and overwhelming with all the information and options you will be given. You will begin to assemble your cancer care team, including your Primary Care Physician and an Oncology (cancer) Specialist. While removing and healing the cancer is the first priority, an important part of healing is restoring your appearance. Double board-certified plastic and reconstructive facial surgeon, Dr. Eugene "Gene" Alford performs reconstructive surgery for patients with head and neck cancers (tumors) at Alford Facial Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX including:

• Hypopharyngeal cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Nasal cavity cancer
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Oral cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer
• Paranasal sinus cancer
• Parathyroid cancer
• Salivary gland tumors
• Thyroid cancer

Head and neck reconstruction surgery may take anywhere from 2 – 8 hours, depending on the size of the tumor and complexity of your case. Dr. Gene will work with your oncology team to first treat and remove the tumor, then carefully reconstruct the healthy tissue to restore your appearance. Dr. Gene will develop a treatment plan based on your case and goals, which may include skin grafts, bone grafts, facial implants, or skin flaps. During your consultation, Dr. Gene will communicate with you and your team to decide the best options and techniques for your reconstructive surgery.

In most cases you stay one night in the hospital, then Dr. Gene will see you the next day and ensure you are ready to be discharged home. Pain is not severe in the vast majority of patients after head and neck reconstruction surgery with most people requiring pain medication only during the first week. You are able to eat whatever you want (most patients prefer a soft foods or a liquid diet), but you should avoid exercise or heavy lifting the first 1 – 2 weeks after surgery. Every operation, no matter how minor, is accompanied by swelling of the surrounding tissues, but it always seems more dramatic in the face. The swelling is usually greatest on the second or third day after your operation, so Dr. Gene suggests that you keep your head elevated as much as possible. The swelling itself is normal and is not an indication that something is wrong with the healing phase of your operation. Your face and neck will remain swollen with varying amounts of discoloration for several days. The most important thing to remember is that such swelling always subsides. Ordinarily, all sutures are removed within 2 weeks from the day of your surgery. During the interim, do not disturb sutures yourself to avoid obvious scarring.

During every reconstructive surgery, Dr. Gene’s goals include preserving or restoring function in the treated areas, plus helping you look as much like your pre-surgery self (minus the tumor) as possible. Using advanced techniques and his vast experience, Dr. Gene understands the delicate tissue of the head and neck, including the nerves, muscle, skin, soft tissue, and blood supply, which helps him to give you your best results and appearance. It may take up to a year to see your final results, but you should see improvement immediately after surgery and throughout your recovery period.

Your cost for head and neck cancer removal and reconstruction will be determined based on the stage of your cancer, the size of the tumor, the area being treated, the complexity of your case, and your insurance coverage. Our office will contact your health insurance company to ensure your maximum coverage and then Dr. Gene will discuss your out-of-pocket payment amount and options.

Can you combine head and neck reconstruction with other surgeries?

Yes, head and neck reconstruction can be combined with other procedures to help improve your appearance and overall function. At Alford Facial Plastic Surgery, we can discuss options like facial reconstruction surgery, facial paralysis surgery, MOHS reconstruction, and orbital decompression surgery during a consultation. Patients may also consider scar revision once their scars have fully healed.

Will I have scars after head and neck reconstruction?

During head and neck reconstruction, Dr. Gene will place incisions carefully in areas that are easy to conceal, such as in the hairline or in a natural fold of the skin. Patients are also given specific guidelines and tips for managing the incision sites during recovery, so they heal as cleanly as possible. It may take up to one year for the scars to fully heal, but with proper care, they should appear flat, thin, and blended with the surrounding skin.

Who is an ideal candidate for head and neck reconstruction?

Ideal candidates for surgery have an unusual lump, growth, or mass somewhere on the head or neck area. Whether the mass is a cancerous, benign, or unknown tumor, it is best to have the mass removed before it grows too large or leads to complications. Dr. Gene can work with your cancer care team to ensure you get the best treatment possible. A comprehensive assessment will also help determine your candidacy.

What conditions can you treat with head and neck reconstruction?

Our team can address the following conditions for patients in the Houston, TX, area:

• Anaplastic thyroid cancer
• Benign tumors
• Cancerous tumors
• Follicular thyroid cancer
• Head cancer
• Hypopharyngeal cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Medullary thyroid cancer
• Nasal cavity cancer
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Neck cancer
• Oral cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer
• Papillary thyroid cancer
• Paranasal sinus cancer
• Parathyroid cancer
• Salivary gland tumors
• Sarcoma of the head and neck
• Skin cancer of the head and neck