[Application of titanium mesh and free forearm flap for reconstruction of maxillary defect resulted from tumor resection].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the application of titanium mesh and free forearm flap for reconstruction of maxillary defect resulted from tumor resection.


METHODS
From 2004 to 2008, 19 cases with maxillary tumor underwent tumor resection. The defects were reconstructed immediately with titanium mesh for bony defects and free forearm flap for oral mucosa defects.


RESULTS
16 cases achieved satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. The speech assessment was good without oronasal reflux. The titanium mesh was exposed and infected in 3 cases. Then the meshes were taken out and the defects were covered with the forearm flap to close the oronasal fistula. The midface was slightly depressed with no functional morbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
It is simple and practical to reconstruct maxillary defect with titanium mesh and free forearm flap. Both the functional and cosmetic results are satisfactory.
Sun
Guo-Wen
GW
Stomatological Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Nanjing University, Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing, 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing 210008, China.
Yang
Xu-Dong
XD
Hu
Qin-Gang
QG
Xu
Ming-Yao
MY
Wen
Jian-Min
JM
Lu
Ming-Xing
MX
Deng
Run-Zhi
RZ
Tang
En-Yi
EY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014025:Titanium; D055815:Young Adult
D014025:Titanium