Microvascular reconstruction of the mouth, face and jaws. Oromandibular reconstruction - free fibula flap

Segmental mandibulectomy and microvascular reconstruction with fibula free flap: Comparison between intraoral and extraoral approaches

BACKGROUND

Segmental mandibulectomy and reconstruction of resulting defect can be performed via intraoral approach (IOA) or extraoral approach (EOA). Both approaches have advantages, disadvantages, indications, and contraindications to consider during their selection.

OBJECTIVE

To compare IOA vs EOA of segmental mandibulectomy and microvascular reconstruction with fibula free flap (FFF).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in which 51 patients who underwent segmental mandibulectomy and microvascular reconstruction with FFF from 2020 to 2024 were included, especially 17 patients by IOA and 34 patients by EOA, representing both groups of this study. Clinical characteristics, surgery parameters, and patients' prognosis were evaluated. Patients' satisfaction and Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS59) were assessed during follow-up.

RESULTS

Ameloblastoma was the most frequent diagnosis (52.9% managed by IOA vs 70.6% by EOA); FFF was frequently positioned as double barrel (94.1% managed by IOA vs 88.2% by EOA). Compared with EOA group, IOA group had less intraoperative blood loss (mean difference [MD] = -112.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -178.9 to -45.5, p = 0.001), higher satisfaction score (MD = 1.3, 95% CI: 0.9 to 1.7, p ˂ 0.001), and lower DAS59 score (MD = -0.5, 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.2, p ˂ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both IOA and EOA were found safe and feasible, presenting similar perioperative features and postoperative outcomes. Patients managed with IOA were more satisfied with aesthetic outcomes than patients managed with EOA. In the absence of simultaneous immediate implant during mandibular FFF reconstruction, after stability of FFF on the defect site, patients should always be referred to an implantologist and/or prosthodontist for teeth restoration to improve functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Prevalence of free flap failure in mandibular osteoradionecrosis reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of total free flap failure following free flap reconstruction for mandibular osteoradionecrosis (mORN) and assess the impact of potential moderators on this outcome. A comprehensive systematic literature search was independently conducted by two reviewers using the Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases. Quality assessment of the selected studies was performed, and prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Outlier and influential analyses were conducted, and meta-regression analyses was employed to investigate the effects of continuous variables on the estimated prevalence. Ultimately, forty-six eligible studies (involving 1292 participants and 1344 free flaps) were included in our meta-analysis. The findings of our study revealed a prevalence of 3.1% (95% CI 1.3-5.4%) for total free flap failure after reconstruction for mORN. No study was identified as critically influential, and meta-regression analysis did not pinpoint any potential sources of heterogeneity. These findings provide valuable insights for researchers and serve as a foundation for future investigations into the management of mandibular osteoradionecrosis and the prevention of free flap failure in this context.

Mandibular reconstruction in head and neck cancer: which is the gold standard?

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review to compare the outcomes of the different surgical options for mandibular reconstruction in head and neck cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

93 articles were selected. Four groups were identified: titanium plate without flaps, titanium plate covered by soft tissue flap, bone tissue flaps and double flaps. We compared patients' characteristics, site of mandibulectomy, type of reconstruction and complications.

RESULTS

4697 patients were reported. The groups were not homogeneous regarding the type of defect and the treatment history. A significant difference in terms of post-operative complications was found between group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.00001), and between group 2 and group 3 (p < 0.00001). Total complications rate for group 4 was significantly higher when compared to group 3 (p < 0.00001), but no significant difference was found with group 2.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that mandibular reconstruction using a microvascular bone flap is the best surgical option in patients without significant comorbidities.

Outcomes following Microvascular Mandibular Reconstruction in Pediatric Patients and Young Adults

Background:

The etiology and treatment of complex mandibular defects in children differ markedly from those of adults, although treatment with free bone flaps is historical in both groups. While adult outcomes and complication rates are well known, few pediatric data exist, especially for patients with congenital deficiencies. This study reports early and late outcomes from a cohort of young, primarily syndromic patients undergoing microvascular mandibular reconstruction.

Methods:

This is a retrospective case series of patients who underwent microvascular mandibular reconstruction between 1995 and 2016.

Results:

Thirteen patients received a total of 13 fibula transfers and 1 medial femoral condyle transfer. Most patients carried a congenital diagnosis (77%), and the average age during surgery was 11.7 ± 5.7 years. The median (interquartile range) [IQR] length of follow-up was 6.3 (5.7) years. There was a 100% flap survival rate, although 86% of all patients experienced at least one complication. Half of all procedures resulted in an early complication. Nine patients (69%) developed late complications, of which temporal mandibular joint ankylosis was the most common (n = 5; 38%).

Conclusions:

This study is one of few detailing outcomes following mandibular reconstruction by free flap transfer in pediatric patients. These patients were primarily syndromic with appreciable complication rates higher than in other adult and pediatric studies. Some complications are manageable or self-resolving, but others lead to functional problems that may require late operative interventions to correct. Microsurgical treatment should be reserved for children with large, complex mandibular defects when other options are unavailable or have been exhausted.

Donor-Site Morbidity after Fibula Transplantation in Head and Neck Tumor Patients: A Split-Leg Retrospective Study with Focus on Leg Stability and Quality of Life

The free fibula flap has been one of the most important microvascular grafts for orofacial reconstruction for more than 30 years. The complication rates at the donor-site reported in literature are considered to be low, but the published data vary greatly in some cases. In particular, restrictions in the stability and balance of the involved leg and their effects on the quality of life have been described very inconsistently to date. Therefore, this study mainly focuses on the stability and balance of the affected leg in a split-leg design. Between December 2014 and January 2018, out of 119 subjects who underwent mainly jaw ablative tumor surgery and reconstruction using a fibula flap, 68 subjects were examined for donor site morbidity. Besides reporting general types of complications, two specific test procedures were used. The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) as a practical test for ankle function and the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) as a questionnaire in order to assess quality of life, depending on the lower leg function. SEBT revealed an average of 55.3 cm with the operated leg as the supporting leg, which corresponds to 95.5% of 57.9 cm achieved with the healthy leg as the supporting leg. An average FADI score of 89.4% was recorded. SEBT and FADI seem to be suitable methods of examination for subjects post fibular transplantation and pointed out minimal limitations of the involved legs in comparison to the unaffected legs. These limitations were clinically not relevant and they had minor influence on the subjects' quality of life and their daily activities.

Factors Affecting Dental Rehabilitation Following Jaw Reconstruction With Free-Fibular Graft In Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Existing anatomic factors play a significant role in affecting the possibility of dental rehabilitation in head and neck cancer patients undergoing free-fibular graft reconstruction. An observational, cross-sectional study was initiated to evaluate factors affecting dental rehabilitation following free-fibular graft jaw reconstruction in head and neck cancer patients.Patients who had undergone jaw reconstruction with free-fibular graft, requiring dental rehabilitation were recruited. Irradiated, reconstructed patients who had completed at least 1 year since the last dose of radiotherapy and nonradiated patients who had completed 6 months since reconstruction were recruited. Patients who had undergone soft-tissue reconstruction or free-fibular graft in non-condyle sparing resections were excluded. Patient's demographic data, disease and treatment-related data were obtained. An intra-oral examination was carried out to evaluate anatomic variables affecting dental rehabilitation. Descriptive statistical analyses were carried out to study demographic data. Logistic regression analysis was carried out using Pearson χ test and Fisher exact test. Estimates of regression coefficient and their standard errors with 95% confidence interval were calculated.Total of 138 patients were enrolled and considered for prosthetic rehabilitation. A review of the frequency-based data revealed that 30% (n = 41) patients were considered suitable for prosthetic rehabilitation. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, morbidity of radiotherapy (P = 0.01), interference to placement of implants by reconstruction plates and screws (P = 0.023), unfavorable diagnostic maxilla-mandibular relationship (P = 0.011), and obliterated vestibule (P = 0.001) were statistically established (P < 0.05) as the most significant reasons for not carrying out dental rehabilitation in patients who had undergone free-fibular graft reconstruction.

3D Finite Element Study on: Bar Splinted Implants Supporting Partial Denture in the Reconstructed Mandible

AIM:

This study aimed to estimate the stress patterns induced by the masticatory loads on a removable prosthesis supported and retained by bar splinted implants placed in the reconstructed mandible with two different clip materials and without clip, in the fibula-jaw bone and prosthesis using finite element analysis.

METHODS:

Two 3D finite element models were constructed, that models components were modeled on commercial CAD/CAM software then assembled into finite element package. Vertical loads were applied simulating the masticatory forces unilaterally in the resected site and bilaterally in the central fossa of the lower first molar as 100N (tension and compression). Analysis was based on the assumption full osseointegration between different types of bones, and between implants and fibula while fixing the top surface of the TMJ in place.

RESULTS:

The metallic bar connecting the three implants is insensitive to the clips material. Its supporting implants showed typical behavior with maximum stress values at the neck region. Fibula and jaw bone showed stresses within physiologic, while clips material effect seems to be very small due to its relatively small size.

CONCLUSION:

Switching loading force direction from tensile to compression did-not change the stresses and deformations distribution, but reversed their sign from positive to negative.