title: Mandibular reconstruction with metal plate and myocutaneous flap.
abstract: The combination of a myocutaneous flap with a three dimensional, bendable reconstruction plate has provided very satisfactory results in restoration of mandibular defects following surgical resections in irradiated patients. Twenty-four cases have been treated and evaluated prospectively using this technique. Patients requiring postoperative irradiation were excluded from this study. Two groups were identified. Group A (n = 20) required a myocutaneous flap to resurface the soft tissue defect and Group B (n = 4) were treated by primary closure. No failures were encountered in the group handled primarily with a myocutaneous flap combined with an AO plate. One failure occurred in the group closed primarily. Nine (38%) of the patients have maintained their plate for over 1 year. Twelve (55%) have functioned for more than 9 months. Of the remaining three (7%), one failed and the other two have been in place for more than 5 months. The results of this study demonstrate that a well-vascularized soft tissue bed in combination with stainless steel plate provides a very satisfactory, functional, esthetic and reliable method in rehabilitation of mandibular defects primarily in irradiated patients.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gullane
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Havas
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008341:Mandibular Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps