Reconstruction

Undergoing treatment for head or neck cancers can be difficult if you need surgery to remove a large portion of tissue. At Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas, cancer specialist and board-certified facial plastic surgeon Yadro Ducic, MD, FACS, offers reconstruction surgery to restore function in your throat, mouth, and nerves following cancer treatment. Dr. Ducic can also improve the aesthetics of your face and neck after cancer surgery. Call the office in Fort Worth, Texas, to schedule a reconstruction surgery consultation or book an appointment online today. 

What is reconstruction?

Reconstruction is a surgery to restore the function and appearance of your mouth and throat after cancer treatments.

Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas offers personalized reconstruction services for adults who have issues speaking or swallowing after their cancer treatment.

Dr. Ducic is one of the few surgeons in the United States to treat head and neck cancer and is also board-certified in facial plastic surgery. He trains surgeons around the world in his advanced surgical techniques and works closely with individuals who lose function in the mouth or throat or are unhappy with their post-cancer appearance.

What is involved with reconstruction surgery?

To optimize your surgical outcome, Dr. Ducic takes a personalized approach to designing your treatment plan. He uses the least invasive procedure to provide the best possible outcome and customizes your plastic facial surgery to ensure your results look natural. 

Some surgeries involve a local flap — a procedure to move tissues around the defect to support healing. If you have a large amount of tissue loss, Dr. Ducic can transplant healthy skin and bone from other areas of your body into the surgical site to restore function.

Dr. Ducic can also reconstruct damaged facial nerves following cancer treatment. He uses precise surgical techniques to preserve the aesthetics of your facial features and minimize your risk for long-term scarring. 

How long does it take to recover from reconstruction?

Everyone heals from reconstruction surgery at their own pace. Depending on the type of cancer you had and the cosmetic procedures you need, you may need several weeks of downtime to ensure you recover without complications. Dr. Ducic discusses what to expect during your initial consultation.

In some circumstances, Dr. Ducic may refer you for additional therapy to support your healing process, such as:

• Physical therapy
• Occupation therapy
• Speech therapy
• Swallowing therapy

You can expect to schedule routine visits to the office so Dr. Ducic can monitor your recovery from reconstruction surgery and ensure you heal without infection or other complications.

Call the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas office nearest you to schedule a reconstructive surgery consultation or book an appointment online today.