title: The anterior chest approach for obtaining free osteocutaneous rib grafts.
abstract: Fresh cadaver dissections indicated that the anterior chest approach for obtaining a free osteocutaneous rib graft, based on the anterior intercostal vessels, would be feasible. Following this, a mandibular defect in radiated tissue was successfully repaired in one stage by a free osteocutaneous graft with microvascular anastomoses. A 22-cm segment of rib, with overlying muscle and skin measuring 10 X 30 cm, was transferred. Follow-up, with selective arteriography at 6 months, confirmed the belief that the periosteal blood supply alone could support the rib segment. The anterior chest approach, to obtain a free osteocutaneous rib graft, is easier, faster, and safer than the posterior approach.
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D012272:Ribs / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*; D013909:Thorax; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous