Yen-Chou Chen1, Ian L Valerio, Chih-Yen Chien, Seng-Feng Jeng. 1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study presents an alternative in reconstruction, using free skin flaps in combination with pedicled mandible bone flaps for complex lateral mandibular defects. METHODS: In all, 13 patients were included in this prospective study. Pedicled mandible myo-osseous flaps were used for reconstruction of bone defects of the lateral mandible in combination with free skin flaps, including radial forearm flaps (n = 3), anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps (n = 9), and local tongue flap (n = 1). Postoperatively, a (99m)Tc-methyl diphosphonate bone scan was performed to assess bone flap viability. RESULTS: All patients had acceptably contoured mandibles. The major complications consisted of 1 failed ALT flap and 2 nonviable bone flaps. The bone scan confirmed viable bone flaps in 11 cases. Ten patients (77%) were able to resume soft to full diets. CONCLUSIONS: For complex lateral mandibular defects (≤6 cm), a combination of the pedicled mandible myo-osseous flaps and free skin flaps is an alternative in reconstruction.
BACKGROUND: This study presents an alternative in reconstruction, using free skin flaps in combination with pedicled mandible bone flaps for complex lateral mandibular defects. METHODS: In all, 13 patients were included in this prospective study. Pedicled mandible myo-osseous flaps were used for reconstruction of bone defects of the lateral mandible in combination with free skin flaps, including radial forearm flaps (n = 3), anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps (n = 9), and local tongue flap (n = 1). Postoperatively, a (99m)Tc-methyl diphosphonate bone scan was performed to assess bone flap viability. RESULTS: All patients had acceptably contoured mandibles. The major complications consisted of 1 failed ALT flap and 2 nonviable bone flaps. The bone scan confirmed viable bone flaps in 11 cases. Ten patients (77%) were able to resume soft to full diets. CONCLUSIONS: For complex lateral mandibular defects (≤6 cm), a combination of the pedicled mandible myo-osseous flaps and free skin flaps is an alternative in reconstruction.