During the past year, several areas of head and neck surgery have had notable refinements and advancements. In the area of early laryngeal cancer, the complementary roles of radiation therapy and surgery have been discussed, as well as refinements in endoscopic laser techniques. Issues of the incidence of nodal metastasis and the role of in-continuity versus discontinuous neck dissection in oral and pharyngeal carcinoma have been considered. Rehabilitation techniques following treatment of oral cancer using free microvascular sensate flap reconstructions have been presented. The role of free jejunal interposition and gastric pull-up for reconstruction in hypopharyngeal cancer have been discussed, as well as their compatibility with postoperative radiotherapy. Finally, the concepts for treatment of neck nodal metastases have been discussed in relation to the roles of radiotherapy, radical neck dissection, and modified neck dissection.