Complete rehabilitation of the mandible following segmental resection

Segmental resection of the mandible leads to significant patient morbidity. Loss of mandibular support to the teeth, tongue and lip causes dysfunctional mastication, swallowing, speech, airway protection and oral competence. Patients also suffer disfigurement following segmental mandibulectomy because the mandible is an important aesthetic landmark. The degrees to which dysfunction and disfigurement occur depend both on the location of the mandibular segment removed and the amount of surrounding soft tissue excised. Between January 1985 and December 2004, 780 fibula osteoseptocutaneous flaps have been used for head and neck reconstruction at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. The fibula flap has proven to be the bony flap of choice because it has a lengthy bicortical segment of bone available, a reasonably long vascular pedicle, large diameter vessels, good bone quality, and is easily contoured with multiple osteotomies. The flap can be harvested while ablation is being performed. In addition, a reliable, mobile, thin skin component can always be included to address the soft tissue reconstructive requirements. A chimeric design employing a portion of the soleus muscle can provide further reconstructive options. Ideally complete rehabilitation of the mandible involves placement of titanium osseointegrated implants, which allow dental restoration. Primary placement of implants is preferred in patients without cancer. Selection of candidates to receive osseointegrated implants is paramount. The temporomandibular joint remains a challenge to reconstruct adequately.