Use of free tissue transfers in head and neck reconstruction.

More than 20 different free flaps have been described for head and neck reconstruction including fibula, iliac crest, scapula, radial forearm, rectus abdominis, anterolateral thigh, latissimus dorsi, and jejunum (Head Neck. 2004;26:930). The high success rate and improved functional outcomes seen with free-tissue transfers have made them the workhorse for oromandibular defects (Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002;110:438; Microsurgery. 2004;24:374). In this article, we outline a few of the commonly used free flaps in head and neck reconstruction.