title: Reconstruction of a bilateral mandibular defect due to trauma using a single fibula free flap.
abstract: The reconstruction of noncontiguous bilateral mandibular defects using a single bony free flap is rarely performed because such defects are seldom encountered. This report describes the reconstruction of a bilateral body defect caused by shrapnel injury. A free vascularized osteomyocutaneous fibula flap was designed to replace 2 mandibular defects in the patient. The midportion of the fibula was resected without damage to the periosteum and vascular pedicle, and a skin paddle was used to monitor the flap. This would appear to be the first report of its use in the reconstruction of bilateral mandibular defects from trauma.
authors.affiliation: Consultant/Associate Professor, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; Dublin Dental University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: kekanayake@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Kumara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ekanayake
authors.forename: Deepak G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008338:Mandibular Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult