title: Accuracy of mandibular reconstruction by three-dimensional guided vascularised fibular free flap after segmental mandibulectomy.
abstract: Mandibular reconstruction with a fibular free flap has become standard in specialised centres for head and neck reconstruction, particularly for defects with more than one osteotomy that are challenging even for experienced surgeons. Virtual surgical planning is a potential tool to facilitate harvesting of the fibula and the osteostomy. The purpose of this study was to compare the two methods of mandibular reconstruction - conventionally planned (conventional group) and "virtually" planned (virtual group) - with regard to accuracy, bony consolidation, complications, and operating time. Fifty patients who required mandibular reconstruction after segmental mandibulectomy were evaluated retrospectively, 24 virtually planned and 26 conventionally planned. The overall survival of flaps was 92% (46/50). The bony consolidation rate in the virtual group was significantly better than that in the conventional group (p=0.002). The difference between the angle of the mandible before and after was highly significant with a median of 11.5° (range 2°-75°) in the conventional group and 4.5° (range 0-18°) in the virtual group (p=0.0001). Operations were mean (SD) of 34 (21.2) minutes shorter in virtually-planned cases (p=0.12). The overall morbidity did not differ significantly between the groups. The use of virtual surgical planning in mandibular reconstruction by fibular free flap is beneficial for optimising accuracy, consolidation of bony segments, and operating time, while increasing the predictability of results for the surgeon. However, additional costs have to be carefully weighed against the benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: weitz@mkg.med.tum.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: F J M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hapfelmeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Rohleder
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: K-D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kesting
mesh_terms: D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005360:Fibula; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008334:Mandible; D063168:Mandibular Osteotomy; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures
keywords: Free fibula flaps; Mandibular reconstruction; Segmental mandibulectomy; Virtual planned surgery