title: Rehabilitation after mandibular reconstruction with fibula free-flap: clinical outcome and quality of life assessment.
abstract: Tumors (benign or malignant), osteoradionecrosis or osteomyelitis sometimes lead to large segmental resections of the mandible. Osteo(cutaneous) fibula free-flaps (OFFF) are used to reconstruct these defects. New anatomical relationships as well as possible irradiation of local tissues make dental rehabilitation complicated. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of dental rehabilitation with an implant-retained lower denture or fixed appliances, after segmental resection and reconstruction of the mandible with an OFFF. Data were obtained from 70 patients, who underwent segmental mandibular resection followed by reconstruction with an OFFF, from 1995 to 2005. Dental rehabilitation was defined as a patient, who after segmental mandibular resection and reconstruction with an OFFF, received an implant-retained lower denture or fixed appliances. Clinical and functional assessments, as well as quality of life and denture satisfaction were evaluated. Twenty-four of 70 patients received dental implants; 18 received complete dental rehabilitation. Only a small percentage of patients with segmental mandibular reconstructions with an OFFF received complete dental rehabilitation, mainly because of poor survival after treatment for malignant tumors of the oral cavity. The beneficial effects of dental rehabilitation with an implant-retained denture or fixed appliances, mainly favored cosmetic aspects, rather than oral function.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hundepool
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Dumans
authors.forename: S O P
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: N J W
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Fokkens
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rayat
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: van der Meij
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Schepman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008341:Mandibular Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants