Reconstruction of Head and Neck Melanoma Defects

The head and neck region is unique from the other anatomic sites due to its rich blood supply and ability to heal well after surgery. Surgical extirpation of melanoma usually requires wide resection margins, and the defect from surgery can be devastating to the patient and impossible to conceal sometimes. Therefore, the goal of a reconstructive technique is to restore the uniformity of skin color, texture, and contour and preserve the function. In general, head and neck skin defects are reconstructed with local and regional flaps. In this paper, the authors review the most common flaps used in head and neck reconstruction.