Objective: To evaluate the results and functional outcome associated with fibular free flap reconstruction of orofacial and mandibular defects.
Design: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 50 consecutive fibular free flaps during a 3-year period. Forty patients were available for follow-up, which ranged from 4 to 39 months.
Setting: Academic tertiary care referral medical center.
Patients: Fifty consecutive mandibular reconstructions using the fibular free flap were performed on 47 patients. Thirty-five patients (74%) underwent primary reconstruction. Sixty-six percent of the mandibular defects were anterior or combined anterolateral types; the remainder were pure lateral defects. In 38 patients (81%), a skin paddle was included with the flap to provide either a mucosal lining or skin cover, whereas in only 9 patients (19%), bone was used alone.
Main outcome measures: Factors reflecting functional properties and processes as well as complications of the upper aerodigestive tract were evaluated clinically and radiographically.
Results: Four flaps required reexploration as emergencies, and none were successfully salvaged (8.5% failure). Three patients underwent further free vascularized fibula transfer with 1 failure. During follow-up, swallowing was normal in 25 patients (64%), oral continence was normal or almost normal in 26 patients (67%), and speech was normal or easily intelligible in 35 patients (90%). Aesthetic results were excellent or acceptable in 37 patients (95%).
Conclusions: Our results reveal that the vascularized fibular free flap is very suitable with an excellent success rate for reconstructing both the composite or simple long-spanned mandibular defect. The overlying skin island is reliable and provides lining or coverage for intraoral and extraoral defects. Superior functional cosmetic results are expected in the majority of patients, while donor site morbidity is minimal.