title: Palatomaxillary reconstruction with titanium mesh and radial forearm flap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the treatment and prognosis of the palatomaxillary reconstruction with titanium mesh and the free radial forearm flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of 19 patients with palatomaxillary defects who underwent immediate reconstruction using titanium mesh and a radial forearm flap during the 4-year period from 2004 to 2008. Intraoperatively, the titanium mesh was fixed to the residual bones for the reconstruction of hard-tissue defect after the tumor resection; then the free radial forearm flap was harvested to repair the soft-tissue defect, serving as the intraoral lining and titanium mesh covering.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative esthetic appearance and function were followed-up. All of the patients achieved a satisfactory facial appearance. The speech assessment was good, and the oronasal reflux did not occur in all patients. Only 3 patients had titanium mesh exposure during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The free radial forearm flap with folded titanium mesh is a reliable option for reconstruction of palatomaxillary defects. It is highly effective for swallowing and speech rehabilitation as well as esthetic reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatologic Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Nanjing University, Stomatologic Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing, China. guowensun@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Guowen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Enyi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Mingxing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Qingang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium