Book excerpt: Illustrated with over 3,400 drawings and full-color photographs, this volume presents a unique multidisciplinary approach to head and neck reconstruction, combining input from otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, maxillofacial prosthodontists, oculoplastic surgeons, speech and swallowing therapists, and metabolic support and nutrition specialists. For each anatomic region of the head and neck, the book defines the various defects from the reconstructive surgeon's point of view and presents actual cases demonstrating how each defect was reconstructed. In-depth discussions by leaders in the field allow the reader to appreciate the basic principles as well as the nuances of restoring each defect to an optimal level using regional flaps, free flaps, and prosthetic rehabilitation. The detailed case presentations show flap design and inset to achieve the final result. One of the key advances emphasized is the combination of implant technology and free tissue transfer to achieve the highest level of functional restoration. The reconstruction of patients following failure of radiation therapy is also extensively discussed.