Segmental resection of the anterior mandibular arch with fibular microvascular reconstruction

Segmental mandibular resection should be undertaken if there is a demonstrable invasion by cancer or if such invasion is suspected. Before the advent of microvascular free flaps, immediate osseous reconstruction of the anterior mandible was technically demanding and unreliable. Mandibular reconstruction with microvascular free flaps is no longer a novelty, nor is it reserved for unusually large resections. It has become the method of choice for the immediate reconstruction of defects resulting from mandibular cancer. This technique is particularly well-suited for defects of the anterior mandibular arch.