Successful management of an orocutaneous fistula and exposed mandibular plate with the vacuum‑assisted closure system: A case report

Orocutaneous fistulas are one of the most problematic postoperative complications after oral cancer surgery. Notably, in patients with mandibular plate exposure it is necessary to remove the plate. However, it takes longer for these patients to achieve complete fistula closure. The present report described an 84-year-old man with a postoperative orocutaneous fistula and exposed mandibular plate who was treated with the vacuum-assisted closure system. This system protects the wound from contamination while the negative pressure prevents tissue fluid retention, promotes blood flow, facilitates granulation tissue formation and decreases the bacterial cell count. Vacuum-assisted closure was successful in the present case, and complete fistula closure took 20 days. Additionally, there was no evidence of recurrence over the 11-month follow-up.