Objective: To summary the clinical application of free fibular composite flaps in repair of mandibular defect.
Methods: Fifty-eight cases of mandibular reconstruction using free fibular flaps, from June 1999 to November 2000, were reviewed, among which there were 37 cases of male and 21 cases of female, aged from 12 to 65 years old. All of the relevant data of the operation, such as the cause of the defect, design of the flaps, the blood vessels of the recipient and the complications, were included and analyzed.
Results: The fibular flap was 10.9 cm (4-21 cm) averagely in length and was harvested for 2.1 times (1-4 times); the average size of the skin paddle was 5.88 cm x 3.13 cm. Of 58 flaps, there were 56 survived; the overall complication rate was 24.1%.
Conclusion: It's safe and reliable to use free fibular flap to reconstruct the mandibular defect.