Abstract
Standard guidelines for mandibular reconstruction procedures after cancer resection have not been developed. We analyzed operation time, operation blood loss and postoperative complications in patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction using free vascularized osteocutaneous or soft tissue free flaps and investigated the possibility of standardizing mandibular reconstruction. This was a retrospective study of 73 patients who had undergone segmental or subtotal mandibulectomy and free flap reconstruction from 2006 through 2013. Thirty-five patients underwent immediate mandibular reconstruction with free vascularized osteocutaneous flaps and 38 patients with soft tissue flaps. Postoperative complications such as wound infections and fistulas were seen in 20% and 16%. Regarding operation time and blood loss, there was no significant difference between the free vascularized osteocutaneous and soft tissue free flaps. Based on these results, we believe that the free vascularized fibula graft should be the standard choice for mandibular reconstruction after mandibulectomy. Accordingly, multicenter trials including detailed descriptions of individual cases are required.
