Palatomaxillary reconstruction with titanium mesh and radial forearm flap.
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.
Sun
Guowen
G
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatologic Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Nanjing University, Stomatologic Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing, China. guowensun@yahoo.com
Yang
Xudong
X
Tang
Enyi
E
Wen
Jianmin
J
Lu
Mingxing
M
Hu
Qingang
Q
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
D014025:Titanium