title: [Primary study on repair of mandibular defect using free fibular composite flap].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summary the clinical application of free fibular composite flaps in repair of mandibular defect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight cases of mandibular reconstruction using free fibular flaps, from June 1999 to November 2000, were reviewed, among which there were 37 cases of male and 21 cases of female, aged from 12 to 65 years old. All of the relevant data of the operation, such as the cause of the defect, design of the flaps, the blood vessels of the recipient and the complications, were included and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fibular flap was 10.9 cm (4-21 cm) averagely in length and was harvested for 2.1 times (1-4 times); the average size of the skin paddle was 5.88 cm x 3.13 cm. Of 58 flaps, there were 56 survived; the overall complication rate was 24.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It's safe and reliable to use free fibular flap to reconstruct the mandibular defect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China 100081. maochi@public3.bta.net.cn
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Guang-Yan
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Chuan-Bin
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Min-Xian
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Da-Quan
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps