Fibula

Abstract: Sixty consecutive fibula free flap mandible reconstructions were performed for oncologic defects. Patient age averaged 46.7 years. Eighty-one percent were primary reconstructions. Sixty-two percent were lateral defects; 22 percent were anterior; and the remainder had combined defects. The bone gap averaged 9.4 cm. A skin island was included with the fibula in 85 percent of patients but was actually needed in only 62 percent. Miniplate fixation was used in 96 percent. Templates derived from radiographic studies were used as an aid in shaping the fibula. Average anesthesia time was 14.54 hours; the transfusion requirement, 3 units; and hospitalization, 22 days. Fifty-nine flaps were successfully transferred. Ninety percent of skin islands raised were completely viable. Average postoperative interincisal opening was 35.2 mm. Osseointegrated implants were placed in 56 percent of suitable candidates, and all implants integrated into bone. Aesthetic results were usually good when the soft tissue defect was limited, but poor when it was extensive. Donor site morbidity was usually mild and transient. The most significant problem was delayed healing in patients closed with a skin graft. Postoperatively, all patients ambulated normally, and none used assist devices. Reoperation for donor site problems was rare. The fibula has many assets that together make it an ideal choice for the reconstruction of most mandible defects. The skin island is usually reliable if it is designed and raised properly. Donor site morbidity is largely inconsequential. The primary contraindication to the use of the fibula for mandible reconstruction is severe peripheral vascular disease.

Abstract: The fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap is a versatile method for reconstruction of composite-tissue defects of the mandible. The vascularized fibula can be osteotomized to permit contouring of any mandibular defect. The skin flap is reliable and can be used to resurface intraoral, extraoral, or both intraoral and extraoral defects. Twenty-seven fibula osteoseptocutaneous flaps were used for composite mandibular reconstructions in 25 patients. All the defects were reconstructed primarily following resection of oral cancers (23), excision of radiation-induced osteonecrotic lesions (2), excision of a chronic osteomyelitic lesion (1), or postinfective mandibular hypoplasia (1). The mandibular defects were between 6 and 14 cm in length. The number of fibular osteotomy sites ranged from one to three. All patients had associated soft-tissue losses. Six of the reconstructions had only oral lining defects, and 1 had only an external facial defect, while 18 had both lining and skin defects. Five patients used the skin portion of the fibula osteoseptocutaneous flaps for both oral lining and external facial reconstruction, while 13 patients required a second simultaneous free skin or musculocutaneous flap because of the size of the defects. Four of these flaps used the distal runoff of the peroneal pedicles as the recipient vessels. There was one total flap failure (96.3 percent success). There were no instances of isolated partial or complete skin necrosis. All osteotomy sites healed primarily. The contour of the mandibles was good to excellent.