[The reconstruction of mandible and soft tissue defects with the osteocutaneous free fibula flap].
OBJECTIVE
To find a new material to reconstruct the defects involving mandible and the surrounding soft tissues with the donor site morbidity mild and transient.


METHODS
Ten consecutive fibula free flaps were used to reconstruct composite defect of mandible and soft tissue. The average length of the fibular graft was 9.1 cm, and the average size of the cutaneous-flap was 4.5 cm x 6.2 cm.


RESULTS
99mTcO4- scan demonstrated that 9 flaps were survivial (9/10) 2 weeks postsurgery. The function and the contour of the mandible were excellent. The donor site morbidity was mild and transient.


CONCLUSIONS
Fibula has a high density of cortical bone. There is enough bone available to reconstruct mandible defect. The osteocutaneous fibula flap is a new material to reconstruct the composite mandible and soft tissue defects.
Li
N
N
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao 266003.
Jia
M
M
Yuan
R
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps