Retrospective analysis of complications in 190 mandibular resections and simultaneous reconstructions with free fibula flap, iliac crest flap or reconstruction plate: a comparative single centre study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of complications following mandibular reconstruction and to analyse possible contributing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data and computed tomography scans of all patients who needed a mandibular reconstruction with a reconstruction plate, free fibula flap (FFF) or iliac crest (DCIA) flap between August 2010 and August 2015 were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety patients were enrolled, encompassing 77 reconstructions with reconstruction plate, 89 reconstructions with FFF and 24 reconstructions with DCIA flaps. Cutaneous perforation was most frequently detected in the plate subgroup within the early interval and overall (each p = 0.004). Low body mass index (BMI) and total radiation dosage were the most relevant risk factors for the development of analysed complications. CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular bone flaps have overall less skin perforation than reconstruction plates. BMI and expected total radiation dosage have to be respected in choice of reconstructive technique. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A treatment algorithm for mandibular reconstructions on the basis of our results is presented.

Bone volume change following vascularized free bone flap reconstruction of the mandible.

BACKGROUND: Bone volume changes following vascularized bone flaps and possible confounding factors over time are described in the literature with some controversy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone volume behavior of two frequently used free flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) scans were examined with regard to bone volume using the software program ITK-SNAP for all patients who required mandibular reconstruction with a free fibula flap (FFF, conventionally vs assisted by computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)) or iliac crest flap (DCIA) following mandibular resection because of benign or malign processes, between August 2010 and August 2015. Clinical data, complication rates, and CT scans were analyzed retrospectively. Additionally, complication rates (microvascular revision, flap loss, postoperative fistula or dehiscence, and postoperative bone exposure) were compared within early (≤30 days), late (31st-100th day), and overall (≤100th day) postoperative time intervals. RESULTS: 113 cases, comprizing 89 FFF and 24 DCIA cases, were included. FFF showed superior bone volume behavior over the DCIA flap. Multivariable regression models assessed the relationships between the following and bone volume behavior: interval between operation and CT scan (p < 0.683), age (p = 0.004), gender (p = 0.006), BMI (p = 0.400), adjuvant radiation therapy (p = 0.334), reconstruction with DCIA flap (p < 0.0001), number of segments (p = 0.02), and incidence of dental implant insertion (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: The bone volume of FFFs remains stable. DCIA flaps show a higher bone volume reduction, but the postoperative course might be associated with fewer complications. Time interval between operation and CT scan, age, gender, reconstruction with DCIA flap, and number of fibula segments contributed significantly to bone volume behavior.