Jaw reconstruction using vascularized fibular grafts.

The mandible was reconstructed using 12 and 13-cm-long vascularized fibular grafts in 2 cases of extensive defects due to resection of the anterolateral portion of the mandible for the removal of bone Tumors. The straightness and hardness of the fibula allowed it to be given a two-dimensional curvature. The reconstructed mandibles were satisfactory both aesthetically and functionally. Large defects of the mandible cause distortion of the face and trouble with mastication. Treatment of massive mandibular defects by conventional bone grafting often ends in failure because of bone resorption, and for this reason, vascularized bone grafts are appropriate. We report here in 4 cases of the reconstruction of the jaw (Table 1) and the detail of the reconstruction with the use of vascularized fibular grafts is presented for the 2 cases of extensive anterolateral mandibular defects.