2014 Volume 26 Issue 3 Pages 69-77
Mandibular defects arising from tumor ablation, result in significant esthetic and functional consequences. In particular, esthetic problems may be caused mainly by loss of bony buttress of the lower face, especially in the chin area.
Today, mandibular defects are reconstructed mainly using fibula, iliac bone and scapula, although there are many advantages and disadvantages of each type of osteocutaneous flap.
Scapular osteocutaneous flap is nourished by the subscapular vascular system. This vascular system can nourish various types of flap as follows: scapular cutaneous flap, scapula based on circumflex scapular artery or angular branch, bi-pedicled scapula, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, serratus anterior myocutaneous flap and costal bone flap. They can be modified and combined in various ways for reconstruction sites.
This report introduces a fundamental technique for mandibular reconstruction using scapular osteocutaneous flap. The vascular anatomy, principal procedures, characteristics of this flap and its indications, etc. are discussed.
