title: Mandibular reconstruction with the free fibula osteocutaneous flap.
abstract: Experience with 17 mandibular reconstructions by the free fibula flap is presented. The main advantages of this reconstruction method include the bicortical structure of the bone and its adaptability to conform to the mandibular contour. The only real disadvantage is the limited height of the bone graft, which does not allow alveolar ridge reconstruction. An implant-borne dental prosthesis can, however, generally be made for functional occlusal rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reychler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iriarte Ortabe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005360:Fibula / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*