Prosthetic-surgical collaborations in the rehabilitation of patients with head and neck defects

Resection of head and neck tumors often results in severe facial disfigurement and functional disabilities. Superior rehabilitation efforts rely on close collaboration between the resection surgeon, reconstructive surgeon, and the maxillofacial prosthodontist. Trauma patients are best rehabilitated surgically, whereas patients with head and neck tumors are best rehabilitated prosthetically in combination with specific surgical reconstruction procedures. This article describes these modifications. Surgical advancements such as microvascular free flaps and endosseous implants have greatly enhanced rehabilitative efforts.