[The utility of vascularized free fibula flap in mandibular reconstruction: a clinical report of 25 cases].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of vascularized free fibula flap as a new method for mandibular reconstruction. METHODS: 25 cases (17 male to 8 female) who have received mandibular reconstruction with free vascularized fibular flaps in our hospital were studied retrospectively. The average length of the fibula grafts is 10.0 cm (range from 5.5 to 16 cm). 3 cases received primary insertion of osteointegrated dental implants into the free fibula flap, and all these 5 implants survived. RESULTS: All flaps except 1 were viable. 62% of the cases took normal diet postoperatively, and the remainder took soft diet as well. All patients spoke clearly. No ankle unstability was reported. And the aesthetic assessments in all patients were good or fair. CONCLUSION: Vascularized free fibular flap takes its distinct advantages to other autogeneous free bone flaps and is confirmed to be one of the optimal methods for mandible reconstruction by our study.