Publication:

Functional and aesthetic outcome with free fibula osteocutaneous flap in reconstruction of anterior mandibular defects in oral malignancies: our experience

Background For anterior mandibular defects, vascularized bone flap reconstructions are the best for providing a solid arch necessary to restore form and function, especially in patients receiving tumour excision surgery in head and neck region. Our aim was to study aesthetic and functional outcome of free fibula osteocutaneous flap (FFOCF) in anterior mandibular defects in case of anterior floor of the mouth malignancies with mandibular infiltration.

Methods The clinical data of 15 oral cavity carcinoma patients with involvement of anterior floor of mouth with mandiblular infiltration that underwent FFOCF reconstruction at our institute, government medical college, Jammu, was prospectively collected from January 2018 till January 2020. In this study, the aesthetic and functional outcome of these patients was evaluated at 6 months and 1 year post surgery.

Results The aesthetic result of reconstruction was excellent in most patients. Also, there was no long-term donor-site morbidity. There was no peri-operative death. Flaps survived in all patients. Functional outcomes including the ability to tolerate oral diet and speech outcome were good in all cases.

Conclusions The FFOCF, in reconstruction surgery of advanced oral cavity carcinoma permits more radical resection of tumour with good functional as well aesthetic outcome.