Rigid fixation of vascularized bone grafts in mandibular reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nature of complications and complication rates with the use of three different reconstruction plates for the rigid fixation of vascularized bone grafts in oromandibular reconstruction. DESIGN: We conducted a case series of 95 patients over a 6-year period, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months and a maximum follow-up of 66 months. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral medical center. PATIENTS: Forty-eight patients had vascularized bone grafts fixated to native mandible with AO stainless steel reconstruction plates; 25 patients, with AO titanium plates; and 22 patients, with titanium hollow screw reconstruction plates (THORPs). Types of vascularized flaps, mandibular defects to be reconstructed, and use of radiation therapy were similar among the three groups. INTERVENTION: The surgical approach involved oromandibular reconstruction with a vascularized bone graft rigidly fixated with a reconstruction plate. OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinically and radiographically noted complications and resultant treatment. RESULTS: In the grafts fixated with AO stainless steel reconstruction plates, three plate fractures, seven instances of loose screws, eight plate exposures, and two cases of nonunion occurred. No cases of plate fracture or nonunion occurred in the titanium or THORP groups. One titanium plate and two THORPs were exposed during the study period. One instance of loose screws occurred in the titanium group; none in the THORP group. Seventy-four percent of those complications occurred within 12.4 months (the mean follow-up time of the THORP group). The incidence of complications in the stainless steel group was significantly greater than that in the titanium or THORP groups. No statistically significant increase in the rate of complications was noted when radiation therapy was used as a component of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare three different reconstruction plates for fixation in vascularized bone reconstruction of the mandible. AO THORPs are now used almost exclusively to rigidly fixate vascularized bone grafts because of their advanced design and their potential for osseointegration and because fewer screws are necessary to attain adequate fixation than with conventional AO reconstruction plates.

Radial forearm flaps.

Restoration of oral cavity and pharyngeal function following ablative surgery remains an elusive goal. Conventional reconstructive methods often achieve satisfactory wound healing, but the introduction of a dynamic anesthetic and bulky flaps into the oral cavity can interfere with the function of the residual soft tissues. This article examines the anatomy, harvest technique, and applicability of neurosensory radial forearm flaps to head and neck reconstruction with special attention to the attributes of this donor site which, at present, make the radial forearm flap the flap of choice for the reconstruction of a variety of oral cavity and pharyngeal defects.

The iliac crest composite flap for oromandibular reconstruction.

Reconstruction of oromandibular defects following tumor ablation remains a complex endeavor. Its outcome greatly influences a cancer patient's quality of life and ability to become re-integrated into society. The number and variety of reconstructive options attest to the complexity of the problem and to the failure of any one method to demonstrate its superiority. We have favored the iliac crest-internal oblique free flap because of the quality of the bone and flexibility of the soft tissues. These qualities make this flap the ideal option for reconstruction of through-and-through defects of the oral cavity. Our experience reveals that this flap is highly successful in restoring functional mastication in most patients and is associated with minimal donor site morbidity. It is important to recognize, however, that it represents one of many available techniques for the reconstruction of composite oral mandibular defects.

A modified design of the buried radial forearm free flap for use in oral cavity and pharyngeal reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: We present a new design for the radial forearm flap that includes a small monitor segment that is connected to the primary skin paddle by a fascial subcutaneous segment of tissue. This design modification permits buried flaps to be easily monitored and provides vascularized tissue coverage of the flap vessels as well as the great vessels in the neck. Immediate augmentation of the radical neck deformity can be achieved. SETTING: This study was conducted at a referral center. PATIENTS: Fifteen patients with squamous cell cancer of the pharynx and tongue base were included in this study. The defects in these patients were judged to be best reconstructed with a radial forearm free flap. RESULTS: All free flaps in this series survived. There was one case, described in detail, in which the fascial subcutaneous portion of the flap was exposed to salivary contamination. The flap vessels remained well protected and flap viability was unimpaired.

Simultaneous interstitial radiotherapy with regional or free-flap reconstruction, following salvage surgery of recurrent head and neck carcinoma. Analysis of complications.

OBJECTIVE: Reports on complications following brachytherapy offer conflicting views on the benefit of locoregional flap coverage of the implanted tumor bed. This study reviews complications following pedicled and free-flap coverage of brachytherapy sources after salvage surgery for recurrent head and neck carcinoma. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen patients with advanced, radiorecurrent carcinomas of the head and neck, treated between 1988 and 1992. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent surgical resection and implantation of the tumor bed with iridium 192 after-loading catheters (13 patients) or iodine 125 seeds (two patients). The average dose of interstitial radiotherapy supplied was 50.24 +/- 45.19 Gy (mean +/- SD). Coverage of the implanted tumor bed was achieved with regional myocutaneous flaps in 10 patients and microvascular free flaps in five patients. OUTCOME MEASURE: All wound and healing complications were identified. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 3 months. RESULTS: No significant complications were encountered. No flap, pedicled or free, demonstrated any degree of necrosis. Four minor complications developed in the group of patients who underwent reconstruction with pedicled myocutaneous flaps. One orocutaneous fistula developed in a patient in whom a radial forearm was used to reconstruct a posterior pharyngeal wall defect. CONCLUSIONS: An expectation of increased postoperative morbidity should not interfere with the decision to proceed with multimodality salvage therapy of patients with advanced, recurrent head and neck tumors. The advantages of free tissue transfer in the reconstruction of head and neck defects are not compromised when the flaps are simultaneously utilized to provide coverage for brachytherapy sites.

A systematic approach to functional reconstruction of the oral cavity following partial and total glossectomy.

Mobility, sensation, volume, and to a lesser extent, the shape of the tongue following partial glossectomy are critical elements to the successful rehabilitation of the patient with oral cancer. Our approach to tongue reconstruction is based on the extent and functional status of the residual tongue and whether there is an associated mandibulectomy. Despite the devastating effects of ablative surgery and radiation, the application of available reconstructive techniques can help to improve the quality of life of these patients. Herein, we present a revised classification scheme for tongue defects along with a discussion of the optimal method for reconstruction based on available techniques.

Microvascular free flaps in head and neck reconstruction. Report of 200 cases and review of complications.

OBJECTIVE: Microvascular free-tissue transfer to the head and neck has become an accepted method of reconstruction owing to increased success rates and superior aesthetic and functional results. Although the large number of arteries and veins in the neck make free-flap revascularization easier than in other recipient sites of the body, there are also unique problems that pose significant risks to the success of the procedure. We report our experience with 200 microvascular free flaps performed between 1987 and 1992. SETTING: This study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: The majority of patients in this series underwent surgery for squamous cell cancer. Approximately 75% of the reconstructions were performed for defects of the oral cavity. There were 120 vascularized bone-containing free flaps for mandibular and midface reconstruction. The remaining 80 soft-tissue flaps were used for a variety of defects ranging from the scalp to the pharyngoesophagus. RESULTS: An overall success rate of 93.5% for free-tissue transfers is reported. Greater experience with this technique has resulted in a reduction and a change in the nature of the complications encountered compared with those seen in the early part of our series. Donor and recipient site complications, including flap failures and anastomotic revisions, are analyzed in detail with respect to age, radiation status, donor site, and whether the ablative procedure was done for a primary or recurrent neoplasm.

Vascularized bone flaps in oromandibular reconstruction. A comparative anatomic study of bone stock from various donor sites to assess suitability for enosseous dental implants.

OBJECTIVE: To identify donor sites from which vascularized bone may be harvested capable of accepting osseointegrated implants of the minimum dimensions required to ensure long-term implant stability. DESIGN: An anatomic study of the most commonly employed donor sites for vascularized bone in oromandibular reconstruction was conducted on 28 cadavers. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight freshly embalmed, adult white cadavers (16 male, 12 female) were dissected. INTERVENTION: The ipsilateral fibula, iliac crest, radius, and lateral border of the scapula were harvested and multiply sectioned at predetermined sites. OUTCOME MEASURE: Implantability was determined for each section based on measurements of height, width, and cross-sectional area utilizing computer planimetry. RESULTS: The iliac crest was the most consistently implantable donor site, followed by the scapula, fibula, and radius (83%, 78%, 67%, and 21% of sections from each donor site satisfying the criteria for implantability). Consistent regional differences in implantability were encountered at each donor site except the scapula. CONCLUSIONS: Following ablation of oromandibular malignant neoplasms, restoration of stable retentive dentition is a prerequisite to a successful functional oral rehabilitation. This is best achieved with enosseous implants, capable of supporting a stable dental prosthesis, placed directly into vascularized bone flaps at the time of mandibular reconstruction. The implications of the results obtained in this study for gender, donor site selection, and orientation of the vascularized bone flap are discussed.