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Updated: Aug 10, 2025

A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
Making the Case for Virtual Surgical Planning: Bilateral Sequential Fibula Flaps with Immediate Dental Implants for
Erin M Taylor1, Joshua Vorstenbosch2, Edwin Morrison3
1From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Summary:
Oncologic maxillectomy defects requiring bony reconstruction are among the most challenging head and neck cases because of the complex three-dimensional geometry of the midface. Virtual surgical planning technology is advantageous in these cases because it provides superior positional precision and accuracy compared with traditional techniques and facilitates prosthodontic rehabilitation. Maxillary cancer recurrence after an initial fibula flap reconstruction presents a unique challenge. The authors report the first two cases of sequential fibula flaps after second or recurrent cancer of the maxilla. Virtual surgical planning facilitated resection with adequate tumor margins, optimized anatomic positioning of the fibula construct with three-dimensional printed plates, and enabled immediate functional dental implant placement.

