title: Reconstruction of mandibular defects using the scapular tip free flap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Purpose of the article is to present the use of the scapular tip free flap (STFF) for the reconstruction of oromandibular defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients who underwent oromandibular reconstruction with STFF were retrospectively evaluated with regards to form and function assessing mouth opening, dietary intake, and cosmetic outcome. Donor site morbidity was evaluated using the Constant-Murley test for the shoulder unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up ranged from 6 to 35 months (mean 20.6 months). Good or excellent results in mouth opening and cosmesis were achieved in eight patients, speech was assessed as intelligible or normal in all but one patient and mean ambulation time after surgery was 2.5 days. Results of Constant score ranged from 45 to 70 (mean 60.6), and the main limitation encountered was elevation of the arm above the head, which was seen in all but one patient confirming the low impact of the technique on the shoulder system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low morbidity, early ambulation time, possibility of simultaneous harvesting with the tumor resection, large musculocutaneous paddles in the chimeric version of the flap are advantages of the STFF and makes it a good choice in elderly patients, when other bone containing free flaps are not indicated because of the related morbidity, when other flaps are not available or when wide composite defects are approached.
authors.affiliation: Maxillo-Facial Surgery Division, Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Copelli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perlangeli
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leporati
authors.forename: Teore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sesenna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012540:Scapula / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome