Submental Island Flap Combined With Reconstruction Titanium Plate: A New Way To Treat Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis

Objective.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of reconstruction for bone defects in patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis using submental flap combined with reconstructive titanium plate.Methods.A total of 23 patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis were included. All patients underwent surgical resection and immediate reconstruction with submental flap combined with reconstructive titanium plate. The postoperative effects and flap success rate were evaluated with a 6- to 18-month follow-up.Results.Twenty-two flaps were successful; 1 flap suffered from partial necrosis in the distal end, but the patient was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and iodoform gauze dressing, and no plate exposure was found after operation in the follow-up period.Conclusion. The use of submental flap combined with reconstructive titanium plate for treating the patients with osteoradionecrosis is a feasible, cost-effective, simple, and safe procedure.