OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in the reconstruction of defect after head and neck tumor resection.

METHODSA total of 75 cases applied with ADM after head and neck tumor resection were reviewed. There were 47 cases of laryngeal carcinoma (glottic 41, supraglottic 3, and infraglottic 3), 5 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, 11 cases of maxillary sinus carcinoma, 9 cases of oral cavity tumor, 3 cases of cervical trachea tumor. Among them 25 cases of laryngeal carcinoma, 4 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, 7 cases maxillary carcinoma, 6 cases oral carcinoma, and one case of cervical trachea malignancy received postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The patients were postoperatively followed up from 2 weeks to 3 years.

RESULTSAmong 75 cases, 65 cases, including 40 cases of laryngeal carcinoma, 4 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, 9 cases of oral cavity tumor, 9 cases of maxillary carcinoma and 3 cases trachea tumor, presented with good wound healing without any complication within 3 months; the 47 patients with tracheotomy were decannulated successfully; 2 cases of laryngeal carcinoma and 1 case of hypopharyngeal carcinoma were complicated with pharyngeal fistula, which healed with dressing change, followed by decannulation; 5 cases had laryngeal stenosis and decannulation failed in these patients; and 3 cases of maxillary carcinoma had wound infection.

CONCLUSIONADM application is a easy and feasible method for the repair of the defect after head and neck tumor resection.