Osteo-cutaneous microvascular free-flaps are a viable option for reconstructing the temporomandibular joint

Mohammed Qaisi; Thaer Al Azzawi; Fanti Joseph; Biraj Shah; James Murphy

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28201

Osteo-cutaneous microvascular free-flaps are a viable option for reconstructing the temporomandibular joint

Heliyon. 2024 Mar 19;10(7):e28201. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28201. eCollection 2024 Apr 15.

Authors

Mohammed Qaisi^{1

2}, Thaer Al Azzawi³, Fanti Joseph⁴, Biraj Shah⁵, James Murphy⁵

Affiliations

¹ Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, USA.
² Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Adjunct Attending Physician, Division of Otolaryngology, Cook County Health, 1950 W Polk Street, Suite 8302, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
³ Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cook County Health 1950 W Polk Street, Suite 8302 Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
⁴ Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Resident, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cook County Health, 1950 W Polk Street, Suite 8302 Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
⁵ Attending Physician Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cook County Health 1950 W Polk Street, Suite 8302 Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

Abstract

Background: There are multiple reconstructive options after mandibular resection and disarticulation of the condyle. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes and functionality of osteocutaneous free flaps in the reconstruction of mandibular defects that involve the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ).

Methods: Our study is a retrospective cohort study involving subjects who underwent mandibular resection and needed TMJ reconstruction with vascularized bony-free flaps from February 2016 to June 2018. Data gathered included patient demographics, post-operative function, maximum interincisal opening (MIO), occlusion status, deviation on opening, and TMJ symptoms. Data points collected from postoperative CT imaging included the following: position of the flap in relation to the glenoid fossa and articular eminence, and closest point of contact.

Results: Eight out of the nine patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of mandibular defects involving the TMJ qualified for the study. The mean age was 39.7 years old. In all 8 cases, virtual surgical planning (VSP) was used. The mean follow-up time was 18.75 months. The flap success rate was 100%. The mean MIO was 37.37 mm. Six patients resumed their premorbid diet, and one patient developed dysphagia and was peg tube dependent. In seven cases the occlusion was intact and reproducible, one case was without sufficient teeth for occlusion. On imaging, the mean distance from the neo-condyle to the glenoid fossa was 14 mm and to the articular eminence 8.68 mm. The point of closest contact in all cases appeared to be the articular eminence.

Conclusion: Vascularized Osteocutaneous-flaps such as FFFs and DCIA flaps provide a good option for the reconstruction of mandibular defects that involve the TMJ. Ipsilateral deviation on opening does not negatively affect clinical outcomes or function. Placing patients in Maxillomandibular fixation for 4-6 weeks may help to prevent condylar sag and provide stable post-operative occlusion.

Keywords: And free flap; Disarticulation; Osteo-cutaneous; Reconstruction; TMJ.