title: Modern concepts in mandibular reconstruction in oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews literature pertaining to advances in oromandibular reconstruction in the context of a 30-year background of microvascular free tissue transfer, which still represents the current standard of care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most literature reiterates established patterns of reconstruction. Notable exceptions address these key areas: the use of computer-assisted modeling to more closely and efficiently design the excision of the mandible, to produce the template and to contour the fibula bone to fit the defect; the evolution of plating techniques to maximize the bony repair; distraction osteogenesis; tissue engineering; and optimal techniques for dealing with osteonecrosis, from both radiation and bisphosphonate use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteocutaneous free flaps remain the standard of care. The fibula flap has emerged as the accepted favorite among these flaps. Evolution of fibula flap reconstruction constitutes a major portion of the current literature. Improvements upon free tissue transfer are currently elusive, largely due to associated radiation. Tissue engineering holds promise as the next plateau but is not yet readily applicable.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jared C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Inman
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hayden
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003198:Computer Simulation; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D019930:Mandibular Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*