The Medial Femoral Condyle Corticoperiosteal Free Flap for Frontal Sinus Reconstruction

Although the medial femoral condyle has been used for reconstruction in various areas of the body, to the authors' knowledge it has not been used for frontal sinus reconstruction. The authors describe a novel approach to a complex patient using the medial femoral condyle cortiocoperiosteal free flap to reconstruct an anterior frontal sinus defect in conjunction with a recalcitrant mucocele.

Clinical, Morphological, and Molecular Evaluations of Bone Regeneration With an Additive Manufactured Osteosynthesis Plate

There is limited information on the biological status of bone regenerated with microvascular fibula flap combined with biomaterials. This paper describes the clinical, histological, ultrastructural, and molecular picture of bone regenerated with patient-customized plate, used for mandibular reconstruction in combination with microvascular osteomyocutaneous fibula flap. The plate was virtually planned and additively manufactured using electron beam melting. This plate was retrieved from the patient after 33 months. Microcomputed tomography, backscattered-scanning electron microscopy, histology, and quantitative-polymerase chain reaction were employed to evaluate the regenerated bone and the flap bone associated with the retrieved plate. At retrieval, the posterior two-thirds of the plate were in close adaptation with the underlying flap, whereas soft tissue was observed between the native mandible and the anterior one-third. The histological and structural analyses showed new bone regeneration, ingrowth, and osseointegration of the posterior two-thirds. The histological observations were supported by the gene expression analysis showing higher expression of bone formation and remodeling genes under the posterior two-thirds compared with the anterior one-third of the plate. The observation of osteocytes in the flap indicated its viability. The present data endorse the suitability of the customized, additively manufactured plate for the vascularized fibula mandibular reconstruction. Furthermore, the combination of the analytical techniques provides possibilities to deduce the structural and molecular characteristics of bone regenerated using this procedure.

Scapular Free Vascularised Bone Flaps for Mandibular Reconstruction: Are Dental Implants Possible?

Objectives

Free fibula flap remains the flap of choice for reconstruction of mandibular defects. If free fibula flap is not possible, the subscapular system of flaps is a valid option. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of dental implant placement in patients receiving a scapular free flap for oromandibular reconstruction.

Material and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients undergoing mandible reconstruction with a subscapular system free-tissue (lateral border of the scapula) transfer at the University Hospital Zürich between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2013. Bone density in cortical and cancellous bone was measured in Hounsfield units (HU). Changes of bone density, height and width were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Comparisons of bone dimensions as well as bone density were performed using a chi-square test.

Results

Ten patients were included. Implantation was conducted in 50%. However, all patients could have received dental implants considering bone stock. Loss of bone height and width were significant (P < 0.001). There was a statistical significant increase in bone density in cortical (P < 0.001) and cancellous (P = 0.004) bone.

Conclusions

Dental implants are possible after scapular free flap reconstruction of oromandibular defects. Bone height and width were reduced, while bone density increased with time.