Minoru Sakuraba1, Shimpei Miyamoto2, Masahide Fujiki2, Takuya Higashino2, Azusa Oshima1, Ryuichi Hayashi3. 1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan. 2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. 3. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS: Although a vascularized fibular graft (VFG) is the favored method for mandible reconstruction, only few functional reports have been published. In this study, surgical outcomes and functional results after mandible reconstruction were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1999 through 2010, oromandibular defects after segmental mandibulectomy were reconstructed with VFG in 101 patients. Operative outcomes and subjective functional evaluation was performed. Of these, 44 patients could be evaluated for functional outcomes, and bite force was measured with an occlusal force meter in 24 patients. RESULTS: Major surgical complications required secondary revisional surgery developed in four patients. A normal diet was possible in 37 patients (84.1%), and a soft diet was possible in 7 patients (15.9%). Conversational ability was rated as excellent in 42 patients (95.5%). The mean bite force on the nonaffected side of the mandible was 187.7 N, and bite force decreased as the number of osteotomies in the VFG increased. Furthermore, bite force was significantly lower (P = 0.001) on the affected side (58.2 N), compared to nonaffected side (191.9 N). CONCLUSIONS: Although masticatory force decreases as the number of osteotomies increases, oral function after mandible reconstruction is satisfactory in most cases. Transfer of a VFG is a safe and reliable method for functional mandible reconstruction.
BACKGROUNDS: Although a vascularized fibular graft (VFG) is the favored method for mandible reconstruction, only few functional reports have been published. In this study, surgical outcomes and functional results after mandible reconstruction were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1999 through 2010, oromandibular defects after segmental mandibulectomy were reconstructed with VFG in 101 patients. Operative outcomes and subjective functional evaluation was performed. Of these, 44 patients could be evaluated for functional outcomes, and bite force was measured with an occlusal force meter in 24 patients. RESULTS: Major surgical complications required secondary revisional surgery developed in four patients. A normal diet was possible in 37 patients (84.1%), and a soft diet was possible in 7 patients (15.9%). Conversational ability was rated as excellent in 42 patients (95.5%). The mean bite force on the nonaffected side of the mandible was 187.7 N, and bite force decreased as the number of osteotomies in the VFG increased. Furthermore, bite force was significantly lower (P = 0.001) on the affected side (58.2 N), compared to nonaffected side (191.9 N). CONCLUSIONS: Although masticatory force decreases as the number of osteotomies increases, oral function after mandible reconstruction is satisfactory in most cases. Transfer of a VFG is a safe and reliable method for functional mandible reconstruction.
Authors: Sagar Kansara; Tao Wang; Sina Koochakzadeh; Nelson E Liou; Evan M Graboyes; Judith M Skoner; Joshua D Hornig; Vlad C Sandulache; Terry A Day; Andrew T Huang Journal: Oral Oncol Date: 2019-09-12 Impact factor: 5.337