Objective: To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of mixed reality technology for localizing perforator vessels in the repair of mandibular defects using free fibular flap.
Methods: Between June 2020 and June 2023, 12 patients with mandibular defects were repaired with free fibular flap. There were 8 males and 4 females, with an average age of 61 years (range, 35-78 years). There were 9 cases of ameloblastomas and 3 cases of squamous cell carcinomas involving the mandible. The disease duration ranged from 15 days to 2 years (median, 14.2 months). The length of mandibular defects ranged from 5 to 14 cm (mean, 8.5 cm). The area of soft tissue defects ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 8 cm×6 cm. Preoperative enhanced CT scans of the maxillofacial region and CT angiography of the lower limbs were performed, and the data was used to create three-dimensional models of the mandible and lower limb perforator vessels. During operation, the mixed reality technology was used to overlay the three-dimensional model of perforator vessels onto the body surface for harvesting the free fibular flap. The length of the fibula harvested ranged from 6 to 15 cm, with a mean of 9.5 cm; the size of the flap ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 10 cm×8 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly in 7 cases and repaired with free skin grafting in 5 cases.
Results: Thirty perforator vessels were located by mixed reality technology before operation, with an average of 2.5 vessels per case; the distance between the exit point of the perforator vessels located before operation and the actual exit point ranged from 1 to 4 mm, with a mean of 2.8 mm. All fibular flaps survived; 1 case had necrosis at the distal end of flap, which healed after dressing changes. One donor site had infection, which healed after anti-inflammatory dressing changes; the remaining incisions healed by first intention, and the grafts survived smoothly. All patients were followed up 8-36 months (median, 21 months). The repaired facial appearance was satisfactory, with no flap swelling. Among the patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy, 2 patients had normal bone healing and 1 had delayed healing at 6 months.
Conclusion: In free fibular flap reconstruction of mandibular defects, the use of mixed reality technology for perforator vessel localization can achieve three-dimensional visualization, simplify surgical procedures, and reduce errors.
目的: 探讨在游离腓骨皮瓣修复下颌骨缺损中，使用混合现实技术定位穿支血管的可行性和效果。.
方法: 2020年6月—2023年6月，采用游离腓骨皮瓣修复12例下颌骨缺损患者。男8例，女4例；年龄35～78岁，平均61岁。下颌骨成釉细胞瘤9例，侵犯下颌骨口腔鳞癌3例。病程15 d～2年，中位病程14.2个月。下颌骨缺损长度5～14 cm，平均8.5 cm；软组织缺损范围为5 cm×4 cm～8 cm×6 cm。术前均行颌面部增强CT和下肢CT血管造影检查，将所得数据制成下颌骨、下肢穿支血管三维模型。术中使用混合现实技术将穿支血管三维模型重叠于患者体表，制取游离腓骨皮瓣修复缺损。腓骨切取长度为6～15 cm，平均9.5 cm；皮瓣切取范围6 cm×5 cm～10 cm×8 cm，供区拉拢缝合（7例）或游离植皮修复（5例）。.
结果: 12例患者术前使用混合现实技术定位穿支血管30支，每例平均2.5支；术中测量术前定位穿支血管穿出点与实际穿出点距离为1～4 mm，平均2.8 mm。术后12例腓骨瓣顺利成活；1例皮瓣远端边缘坏死，换药后延期愈合。供区发生感染1例，经抗炎换药治疗后愈合；其余患者切口Ⅰ期愈合，植皮顺利成活。患者均获随访，随访时间8～36个月，中位时间21个月。修复面部外形好，皮瓣无臃肿。3例术后接受放化疗患者中，随访6个月时2例正常骨愈合、1例延迟愈合。.
结论: 在游离腓骨皮瓣修复下颌骨缺损手术中使用混合现实技术，可以实现穿支血管三维可视化，手术操作简便，误差较小。.
Keywords: Mixed reality technology; free fibular flap; mandibular defect; perforator vessel; repair and reconstruction.