Free osteocutaneous groin flap in the reconstruction of large mandibular defects. A case study

Multiple tissue transfers are being used more and more in head and neck reconstruction. With the development of microvascular surgery, free flaps have been used as one such method of reconstruction. We have found that the use of the osteocutaneous groin flap, a free flap, is an excellent choice for filling all the requirements of reconstruction of massive oral defects in which large segments of the mandible are resected. This flap is not to be used routinely as a first-choice flap, and it should only be used in patients who are healthy enough to tolerate the prolonged anesthesia necessary to complete such a procedure and in the patient who has a good prognosis from his disease.