Introducing the tibial-dorsalis pedis osteocutaneous shin flap: a new option for oromandibular reconstruction.
BACKGROUND
The authors investigated the possibility of incorporating a well-vascularized, partial corticotomy of the anterolateral aspect of the tibia "in-series" with a dorsalis pedis fasciocutaneous free flap for oromandibular reconstruction.


METHODS
A cadaveric injection study was performed to characterize the vascular territory of the anterior tibial artery with regard to the surrounding osseous and soft tissue. The two-point breaking strength of the tibia (twist) was examined with fracture strain gauge analysis to determine the threshold of tibia corticotomy that would lead to a pathologic fracture. Finally, the authors performed an in vivo prospective clinical examination of the tibial-dorsalis pedis osteocutaneous shin flap.


RESULTS
The perfusion study revealed that the anterior tibial artery provided a rich matrix of musculofascial periosteal blood supply to the anterolateral cortex of the tibia that could potentially support free osseous tibial transfer. Two-point osteotomy fracture strain gauge analysis demonstrated that the threshold of tibia corticotomy that would lead to pathologic fracture of the remaining tibia was greater than 30 percent. The osteocutaneous shin flap was performed in eight patients. The mean follow-up was 61 months. There were no cases of flap loss, salivary fistula, nonunion, or tibia pathologic fracture. All patients achieved ambulation.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors introduce the osteocutaneous tibial-dorsalis pedis free vascularized flap as a viable option for oromandibular reconstruction. Its most notable advantage is the independent mobility of the skin paddle, in combination with bone stock that replicates mandibular bone dimensions, facilitating primary osseointegration or denture rehabilitation.


METHODS
Therapeutic, IV.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada; New York, N.Y.; and Los Angeles, Calif. From private practice; the Division of Plastic Surgery and New York Head & Neck Institute, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System; and the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles.
R Stephen
RS
Mulholland
Neil
N
Tanna
Peter D
PD
Costantino
Ashley R
AR
Chandler
J Brian
JB
Boyd
D002102:Cadaver; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005205:Fascia / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000517:prevention & control; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D064827:Myocutaneous Flap / Q000098:blood supply*; D016348:Osseointegration; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013977:Tibia / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods