[Mandibular reconstruction with osseous free flaps: functional results].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate functional results of oromandibular reconstruction with osseous free flaps.


METHODS
A total of 67 patients who underwent oromandibular reconstruction with fibula (n=60) or scapular (n=7) free flap between 2000 and 2004 were included in this study. We analysed functional results (alimentation, elocution, mouth opening and cosmetic appearance) and researched the potentially predictive factors of these results (age, comorbidity, preoperative irradiation, type of defect...; Chi(2) test).


RESULTS
The rate of free flap success was 89.6%. A functional result considered as normal or subnormal was obtained by more than 50% of patients. Oral alimentation (without tube feeding) and intelligible speech were recovered by 92.5% of patients. Through and through defects and free flap failures were determinant predictive factors of worse functional outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Fibula free flap is considered as the flap of choice for oromandibular reconstruction and allows excellent functional results.
Bozec
A
A
Département d'otorhinolaryngologie et de chirurgie carcinologique de la face et du cou, centre Antoine-Lacassagne, 33, avenue de Valombrose, 06189 Nice cedex, France. alexandre.bozec@nice.fnclcc.fr
Poissonnet
G
G
Converset
S
S
Lattes
L
L
Chamorey
E
E
Vallicioni
J
J
Demard
F
F
Dassonville
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012540:Scapula / Q000637:transplantation; D013060:Speech; D013524:Surgical Flaps