A pedicled mandibular osteomuscular flap for reconstructing composite mandibular defects

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reliability of reconstructing composite defects of the mandible with a local pedicled mandibular osteomuscular flap. Materials and methods: A retrospective study examined patients undergoing secondary mandibular reconstruction following tumour ablation using local pedicled mandibular osteomuscular flaps. The study included five men and three women. The segmental defects of the mandible resulted from oral carcinoma in five cases and mandibular ameloblastoma in three. Results: All of the flaps survived. Proper aesthetics and complete functionality were obtained, and no donor-site problems occurred. The patients were followed for 16–24 months and no recurrence was seen. Conclusions: The pedicled mandibular osteomuscular flap is technically simple, fast to harvest, and has an exceptionally long arc of rotation, which enables the reconstruction of composite segmental defects of the mandible following tumour ablation.