Resident Series: Reconstruction of Pathology With Autogenous Grafts and Free Flaps (with Dr. Ben Hechler)

During today’s episode, Dr. Ben Hechler joins us in conversation to unpack some of the most used tools in reconstruction and when to use them. Assistant Professor of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery and Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery at Duke University, Dr. Hechler has a gift for transferring knowledge in a way that is easy to understand. Tuning in, you’ll get an overview of reconstruction options for patients who have had pathology removed, including why it is so important to determine your goal ahead of choosing an option. Dr. Hechler addresses some of the challenges often faced during the process, and goes into detail about the different flaps and their relevance for different patients. We hope that today’s episode will motivate surgeons to further explore this side of oral maxillofacial surgery. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcome to Dr. Ben Hechler, Assistant Professor of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery and Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery, Duke University Health System.
• Today’s topic: reconstruction options for patients who have had pathology removed. 
• Why defects in the maxillo usually involve a portion of the bone. 
• Why it is so important to determine your goal before choosing an option.
• Challenges surrounding the mandible.
• Reconstruction for pathologic defects.
• Why the submental island flap has recently gained popularity.
• When titanium-only reconstruction in the mandible is most appropriate.
• Adhering to the adage of replacing life with life.
• A caveat to be aware of with regards to mucosa. 
• Rotating nasolabial flaps to rotate into the mouth.
• Why Dr. Hechler recommends using the FAMM flap. 
• Considering the size of the defect and the desires of the patient when selecting an approach.
• The challenge of creating continuity of the mandible with titanium-only reconstruction.
• Circumstances where you would consider doing a delayed reconstruction.
• Pitfalls to using VSP.
• Resources for reconstruction guidance. 
• Why Dr. Hechler hasn’t read much lately: he recently welcomed a new baby!
• Grant’s two recommendations on Audible. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Ben Hechler on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hechler/

Duke Health – https://www.dukehealth.org/

Head & Neck — https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10970347

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery — https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/pages/default.aspx

Flaps and Reconstructive Surgery — https://www.amazon.com/Flaps-Reconstructive-Surgery-Fu-Chan-FACS/dp/0323243223

Spare — https://princeharrymemoir.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ 

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ 

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

KLS Martin promo code EOSExo22 — https://www.klsmartin.com/