Fixation of vascularized bone grafts.

In 24 patients, fixation of isolated or combined bone grafts has been performed exclusively with miniplates. Other than the lateral displacement of one osteomyocutaneous iliac crest graft, no complication occurred with regard to the fixation method chosen. In contrast to the clinical findings, our results of an animal experiment demonstrate less complications by fixation of vascularized bone grafts to mandibular angle defects (guinea pig) when THORP plates are used instead of miniplates. Whereas we consider miniplate fixation of vascularized bone grafts to be the method of choice, selected patients may require more stable fixation systems, especially when a high postoperative mobility may be expected or large amounts of the mandible including the condyle have to be reconstructed.