title: Free rib graft reconstruction of the mandible: a forgotten option?
abstract: Eleven patients underwent primary mandibular reconstruction following resection of a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Reconstruction consisted of a free rib graft and a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. One rib graft failed and one graft, although successful, required removal during a wider resection for tumour recurrence. A further three patients have died since operation, two from tumour recurrence and one from unrelated medical causes. Six patients have undergone long-term follow-up of between 22 and 78 months with a mean of 51 months. They have oral continence, take a normal or semisolid diet, and have satisfactory cosmesis. We present the first long-term follow-up of a series of patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction with a free rib graft and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincs.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Westmore
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012272:Ribs / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome