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Reconstruction of mandibular defects using the scapular tip free flap
Author(s) -
Bianchi Bernardo,
Ferri Andrea,
Ferrari Silvano,
Copelli Chiara,
Perlangeli Giuseppe,
Leporati Massimiliano,
Ferri Teore,
Sesenna Enrico
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.22285
Subject(s) - medicine , cosmesis , surgery , free flap , microsurgery
Purpose Purpose of the article is to present the use of the scapular tip free flap (STFF) for the reconstruction of oromandibular defects. Patients Eleven patients who underwent oromandibular reconstruction with STFF were retrospectively evaluated with regards to form and function assessing mouth opening, dietary intake, and cosmetic outcome. Donor site morbidity was evaluated using the Constant–Murley test for the shoulder unit. Results Follow‐up ranged from 6 to 35 months (mean 20.6 months). Good or excellent results in mouth opening and cosmesis were achieved in eight patients, speech was assessed as intelligible or normal in all but one patient and mean ambulation time after surgery was 2.5 days. Results of Constant score ranged from 45 to 70 (mean 60.6), and the main limitation encountered was elevation of the arm above the head, which was seen in all but one patient confirming the low impact of the technique on the shoulder system. Conclusion Low morbidity, early ambulation time, possibility of simultaneous harvesting with the tumor resection, large musculocutaneous paddles in the chimeric version of the flap are advantages of the STFF and makes it a good choice in elderly patients, when other bone containing free flaps are not indicated because of the related morbidity, when other flaps are not available or when wide composite defects are approached. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:101–106, 2015.