title: Mandibular reconstruction using free bone flap after preoperative chemoradiation.
abstract: When treating head and neck cancer of an advanced stage, additional therapy modalities are often combined with surgery. This sets new challenges for the reconstructive surgery, especially after segmental mandibulectomy. There is continuous discussion considering the optimal timing of the surgery with relation to other treatment methods such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In this work, we have analyzed a series of 10 patients treated with segmental mandibulectomy and preoperative irradiation or chemoradiation in our institute between 1999 and 2006. Surgery was scheduled within 5 weeks from the radiation therapy. 9 out of 10 reconstruction flaps were vital at the last follow-up. In general the outcome of these patients was consistent with the results published earlier by other institutes using postoperative irradiation or chemoradiation. We conclude that preoperative irradiation does not have negative impact on microvascular reconstruction with free bone flap and this procedure offers an equal option for the treatment of these patients.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Turku University Hospital, PL 52, 20521 Turku, Finland. heikki.irjala@utu.fi
authors: Heikki
authors: H
authors: Irjala
authors: Ilpo
authors: I
authors: Kinnunen
authors: Kalle
authors: K
authors: Aitasalo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents