ABSTRACT

Despite the best preoperative care, meticulous surgical technique and attentive postoperative management complications frequently arise in the head and neck cancer patient. Many of these individuals are elderly with concomitant medical problems and pose a constant challenge for those involved in their care. Early recognition of the symptoms and signs of complications can prevent amplification of existing problems. The purpose of this chapter is to focus on the major surgical complications and how they are best avoided or treated once they occur.