Samsung Medical Center Surpasses 2,000 Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgeries

2,383 Cases Achieved Since 2007... First in Korea Within a Single Department
Jung Manki, Head of the Center: "World-Class Reconstructive Capabilities and Personalized Treatment System"

Samsung Medical Center announced on November 10 that its Head and Neck Cancer Center has become the first in Korea to achieve over 2,000 head and neck reconstructive surgeries within a single department.

Jung Manki, Head of the Head and Neck Cancer Center at Samsung Medical Center, is explaining head and neck reconstructive surgery. Samsung Medical Center

Head and neck cancer is a collective term for cancers that occur in the head and neck region, including oral cancer, salivary gland cancer, oropharyngeal cancer (such as tonsil and base of tongue cancer), laryngeal cancer, nasal cavity cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer. Head and neck reconstructive surgery is the process of restoring the defect area after extensive resection in these patients, and it is crucial not only for patient survival but also for preserving function and quality of life.

Since 2007, Samsung Medical Center has performed a total of 2,383 head and neck reconstructive surgeries. Among these, 1,179 were highly complex free flap procedures, while 1,204 were other types of flap or graft surgeries. Free flap surgery, which involves transplanting tissue along with blood vessels, is a highly advanced procedure that requires microvascular anastomosis. Postoperative management is also challenging, and the complication rate is known to be high.

Jung Manki, Head of the Head and Neck Cancer Center at Samsung Medical Center, explained, "The cumulative record of reconstructive surgeries, including free flaps, local flaps, and skin grafts, is the largest in Korea and is a rare achievement even internationally."

In 2022, the Head and Neck Cancer Center at Samsung Medical Center treated 787 patients, which accounts for about 14% of the 5,746 registered head and neck cancer patients in Korea. Among domestic patients, those with pharyngeal cancer made up the largest proportion at 19%, followed by salivary gland cancer at 18%, nasal cavity cancer at 15%, and oral cancer at 12% who sought treatment at this hospital.

Notably, the five-year survival rates for all stages of head and neck cancer were 96% for stage 1, 93.7% for stage 2, 72.4% for stage 3, and 57.7% for stage 4, which are significantly higher than those in the United States. Additionally, when analyzing the five-year relative survival rates for lip, oral, and pharyngeal cancers, Samsung Medical Center achieved 83.7%, surpassing the Korean average of 70.3% and also outperforming the United States. For laryngeal cancer, the five-year relative survival rate at Samsung Medical Center was 88.3%, higher than both Korea (80.4%) and the United States (59.2%).

These achievements are underpinned by multidisciplinary care. Samsung Medical Center provides multidisciplinary treatment for about 350 head and neck cancer patients annually. Through its multidisciplinary, personalized treatment system, the hospital applies advanced therapies such as virtual surgical simulations, precision surgery using 3D printing, state-of-the-art radiation therapy (IMRT and proton therapy), and immunotherapy-based cancer treatments.

The method utilizing 3D printing was first recognized as a new medical technology by the Head and Neck Cancer Center at Samsung Medical Center and is now being used at other university hospitals in Korea. The Department of Radiation Oncology has adopted not only intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) but also proton therapy to minimize complications and maximize tumor control. Because the head and neck region contains critical organs such as nerves and blood vessels, patients may experience difficulties with eating, breathing, and speaking after treatment. However, with the latest radiation therapy techniques, these issues are minimized through precise treatment.

Director Jung stated, "Achieving over 2,000 reconstructive surgeries is not just a number-it marks our ongoing efforts to preserve patients' breathing, speech, and eating functions, thereby improving their quality of life. Moving forward, we will continue to present a world-class model for head and neck cancer treatment, grounded in scientifically validated standard therapies and personalized precision medicine."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.