The utility of vascularized free fibula flap in mandibular reconstruction: a clinical report of 25 cases.
- Author:
Meng TONG
1
;
Longjiang LI
;
Yuming WEN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- MeSH: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Fibula; blood supply; transplantation; Follow-Up Studies; Graft Survival; Humans; Male; Mandible; surgery; Mandibular Neoplasms; rehabilitation; surgery; Middle Aged; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures; methods; Surgical Flaps
- From: West China Journal of Stomatology 2002;20(5):340-342
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of vascularized free fibula flap as a new method for mandibular reconstruction.
METHODS25 cases (17 male to 8 female) who have received mandibular reconstruction with free vascularized fibular flaps in our hospital were studied retrospectively. The average length of the fibula grafts is 10.0 cm (range from 5.5 to 16 cm). 3 cases received primary insertion of osteointegrated dental implants into the free fibula flap, and all these 5 implants survived.
RESULTSAll flaps except 1 were viable. 62% of the cases took normal diet postoperatively, and the remainder took soft diet as well. All patients spoke clearly. No ankle unstability was reported. And the aesthetic assessments in all patients were good or fair.
CONCLUSIONVascularized free fibular flap takes its distinct advantages to other autogeneous free bone flaps and is confirmed to be one of the optimal methods for mandible reconstruction by our study.
