[The utility of vascularized free fibula flap in mandibular reconstruction: a clinical report of 25 cases].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of vascularized free fibula flap as a new method for mandibular reconstruction.


METHODS
25 cases (17 male to 8 female) who have received mandibular reconstruction with free vascularized fibular flaps in our hospital were studied retrospectively. The average length of the fibula grafts is 10.0 cm (range from 5.5 to 16 cm). 3 cases received primary insertion of osteointegrated dental implants into the free fibula flap, and all these 5 implants survived.


RESULTS
All flaps except 1 were viable. 62% of the cases took normal diet postoperatively, and the remainder took soft diet as well. All patients spoke clearly. No ankle unstability was reported. And the aesthetic assessments in all patients were good or fair.


CONCLUSIONS
Vascularized free fibular flap takes its distinct advantages to other autogeneous free bone flaps and is confirmed to be one of the optimal methods for mandible reconstruction by our study.
Tong
Meng
M
West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University.
Li
Longjiang
L
Wen
Yuming
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005360:Fibula / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps