[Microvascular osteoseptocutaneous radial flap in reconstruction of mandible following war injury].

BACKGROUND

Vascularized osteoseptocutaneous radial flap is commonly used in the reconstruction of composite bony and soft tissue defects of the lower third of the face due to the outstanding quality of its cutaneous component. The aim was to evaluate the primary and overall success in the reconstruction of mandibular defects, following war injuries, with vascularized osteoseptocutaneous radial flap.

METHODS

At the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the Military Medical Academy Belgrade, there were eight patients with this kind of defect following war injury, and the mandible was reconstructed with a vascularized osteoseptocutaneous radial flap. Bony compartment of the graft was harvested as up to 11 cm long segment of radial circumference.

RESULTS

The localization and structure of the defect, features of a harvested compound graft, the procedure of the reestablishment of the mandibular continuity was presented as well as immediate and late complications during the consolidation period, and the primary successful reconstruction in 87.5% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The primary and overall success in the mandibular defects reconstruction with a vascularized osteoseptocutaneous radial flap was equal or even better than those presented in the literature on the reconstruction of the similar defects after tumor resections.