Preoperative Laser Depilation of Donor Site in Head and Neck Cancer Free Flap Reconstruction [LaDDoR]

Primary objective is to compare changes in the hair density of the free flap at key points of reconstruction: preoperatively and postoperatively for intervention and control groups. Interventions include: Appointment 1: Approx. 3weeks preop Eligibility screen and Informed consent Hair density measurement. Hair density in your donor site will be measured by clipping the hair, placing a custom 3D printed “ruler” and taking the photographs which will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Functional and health-related quality of life [HRQOL] Questionnaire. which will take approximately 10 – 15 minutes Appointment 2 and 3: Laser treatment session (intervention group). Participants in the intervention group will undergo laser depilatory treatment to their donor site at Contour clinics, a laser clinic external to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (no out-of-pocket cost for participant for laser treatment). A depilation guide marking the specific areas for laser treatment will be created and distributed to the laser technician. The first laser session will be completed within a week of signing the consent form (approximately 2.5 weeks before your surgery), and the second session will be completed at least 3 days prior to your surgery. The sessions will be roughly 2 weeks apart and this will allow adequate time for common acute effects, such as erythema and pain, to resolve. Each laser session will take approximately 60 minutes. A treatment questionnaire including adverse event assessment and a visual analogue pain scale assessing the tolerability of treatment will be completed by participants on the same day of the intervention (via online or paper form already provided to participants). This will take approximately 5 -10 minutes. Follow up: An inpatient assessment will be conducted day 5 (+/- 2 days) post-op to review flap in the recipient site and record post-operative complications. Hair density measurements at the recipient site and review of the donor site at 4- and 12-week routine postoperative clinic. The HRQOL questionnaire will be repeated at 12-week routine postoperative clinic or will be emailed/mailed to a participant. Other than the laser depilation to the donor site prior to surgery, patients will be treated as per the usual standard of care for head and neck cancer reconstruction.