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BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of mandibular defects caused by combat injuries is challenging for clinicians due to soft tissue defects and high complication risk. This study evaluated the outcomes of mandibular continuous defects reconstruction with non-vascularized iliac crest graft (NVICG) in patients with combat injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with continuous mandibular defects acquired by high-velocity agents, who received NVICG reconstruction with or without microvascular-free soft tissue or regional flaps, were included in the study. The outcome variable was graft loss due to postoperative complications or full (more than 90 %) resorption. The primary predictor variable was soft tissue defect in the recipient area. The secondary predictor variable was the length of the defect. Variables related to patients, defect site, surgery, and other complications were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with the usage of independent sample t-test, Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests with a significance level of P < 0.05 RESULTS: The study included 24 patients with 27 mandibular defects. Overall, the general success rate of reconstructions was 59.3 %. Soft tissue defects were significantly associated with graft failure and other complications (p < 0.05), which were mostly related to soft tissue defects. The graft success rate was only 14.3 % even in minor soft tissue defects. In turn, in reconstructions with sufficient soft tissue coverage, the graft survived in 75.0 % of the cases. In addition, patients with more delayed reconstruction had significantly fewer graft failures than those with earlier surgery (p < 0.05). No associations were found between defect size and complications. CONCLUSION: The sufficient soft tissue coverage is essential in the reconstruction of mandibular defects caused by combat injuries. Also, minor soft tissue defects should be covered with soft tissue flaps to avoid complications and graft loss in these specific injuries. Even large defects can be reconstructed with NIVICG if the soft tissue coverage is sufficient.
RESUMEN
Antecedentes: Este estudio tenía como objetivo aclarar la aparición y las causas de complicaciones postoperatorias en pacientes con defectos mandibulares continuos, reconstruidos con injertos óseos ilíacos libres. Pacientes y métodos: Los pacientes con defecto de continuidad mandibular con pérdida de tejido óseo, que dio lugar a una brecha de 2 cm o más, se sometieron a reconstrucción con injerto óseo de cresta ilíaca no vascularizado. La variable de resultado fue el fracaso del injerto, que se definió como su pérdida por infección postoperatoria, exposición del injerto, reabsorción completa o no unión del injerto. Los factores predictivos fueron el momento de la reconstrucción, la longitud del defecto óseo, la presencia preoperatoria de defecto mucoso y/o dehiscencia y el método de fijación. Todas las variables explicativas y predictoras se analizaron mediante regresión logística binomial univariante.Resultados: El estudio incluyó los resultados de 50 reconstrucciones mandibulares con injerto óseo de cresta ilíaca no vascularizado que se observaron retrospectivamente. El seguimiento de los pacientes incluidos osciló entre 6 meses y 11 años. 34 pacientes (68 %) tuvieron resultados quirúrgicos satisfactorios. En 16 pacientes (32 %) se perdieron los injertos óseos. Todos ellos debido al desarrollo de infección, supuración y/o exposición del injerto durante los primeros 6 meses del periodo de observación. En el análisis univariante, las principales variables predictoras de fracaso fueron el tabaquismo (OR 5,8; IC: 1,48-22,7; p = 0,002), el momento de la reconstrucción (OR 7,94; IC: 1,88-33,5; p = 0,004) y el defecto o dehiscencia de la mucosa (OR 8,49; IC: 2,21-32,6; p = 0,002). El análisis multivariante también reveló la afectación sinfisaria del defecto (OR 5,63; IC: 1,14-27,8; p = 0,034) como factor predictivo significativo de fracaso en un caso de reconstrucción inmediata. ... (AU)
Background: This study aimed to clarify the occurrence and causes of postoperative complications in patients with continuous mandibular defects, reconstructed with free iliac bone grafts.Patients and methods: Patients with mandibular continuity defect with bone tissue loss, resulting in a 2 cm gap or more underwent reconstruction with non-vascularized iliac crest bone graft. The outcome variable was graft failure which was defined as its loss due to the postoperative infection, graft exposure, full resorption or non-unition of the graft. The predictors were timing of reconstruction, length of the bone defect, preoperative presence of mucosa defect and/or dehiscence and fixation method. All explanatory and predictor variables were analyzed with univariate binomial logistic regression.Results: The study included the results of 50 mandibular reconstructions with non-vascularized iliac crest bone graft which were observed retrospectively. The follow-up of included patients ranged from 6 months to 11 years. 34 patients (68 %) had successful surgery results. In 16 patients (32 %) the bone grafts were lost. All of them due to the infection development, suppuration and/or graft exposure during the first 6-months of the observation period. In univariate analysis, the main failure predictor variables were smoking (OR 5.8, CI 1.48-22.7, p = 0.002), timing of reconstruction (OR 7.94, CI 1.88-33.5, p = 0.004) and mucosa defect or dehiscence (OR 8.49, CI 2.21-32.6, p = 0.002). The multivariate analysis also revealed symphyseal involvement of defect (OR 5.63, CI 1.14-27.8, p = 0.034) as the significant failure predictor in a case of immediate reconstruction. The length of defect and fixators type remained statistically non-significant for mandibular reconstruction with NVICG (p < 0.05).Conclusion: ... (AU)