Bone plating techniques in head and neck tumor surgery

Plating techniques have increased the ability of the surgical team to resect tumors while decreasing postoperative morbidity. By maintaining preoperative form, cosmetic facial contour and considerable function are also preserved. Immediate reconstruction is possible and secondary reconstruction is easier. By maintaining bone segments in the correct anatomic position, the surgeon does not have to confront scar tissue contracture to properly align the segments during the secondary reconstruction. Plates and screws may also be used to fixate bone grafts during primary and secondary reconstruction.