Digital Surgical Planning for Mandibular Reconstruction With Free Fibula Flap: Is the Accuracy Affected by the Number of Compromised Mandibular Segments?
Background: Reconstructive mandibular surgery using free fibular flap in patients with defects due to oncologic resections aims to restore the lost functionality and appearance. Digital surgical planning (DSP) aids in designing the procedure through three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the anatomical defect, flap positioning, and contour restoration. Some studies have explored the DSP for assistance with mandibular reconstructions; however, most are limited in sample size and geographic region where these resources are available. Here we present a step-by-step DSP and the results obtained in a cohort of patients analyzed according to the number of compromised mandibular segments.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 90 procedures in which DSP was applied, from patients who underwent oncologic mandibulectomy and reconstruction using a free fibula flap from 2012 to 2019. Customized cutting guides and implants were used in all patients. Clínical data was obtained from medical records and information concerning the DSP from company archives. Ethics committee approval was obtained.
Results: patient's median age was 60 years; 52% were women. The most common tumor was squamous cell carcinoma in 49.4%. The medians of the mandibular defect volume and the length of the whole fibula flap were 12.24 cm3 and 9.24 cm. More than one mandibular segment was compromised in 44% of the patients. The median surgical and flap ischemia times were 380 and 76 minutes, respectively. In 95.5% cases, excellent bone apposition was achieved; four cases required minor intraoperative adjustments. Median follow-up was 14 months, and the complication rate was 18.9%. Satisfactory functional and aesthetic results were achieved in more than 60 and 70% of the cases. There were no differences in those outcomes according to the number of mandibular segments resected and reconstructed.
Conclusion: The digitally planned mandibular reconstructive procedures showed highly satisfactory results. The technology facilitated the completion of procedures without deviating from the surgical plan or requiring onsite adjustments. The latter indicated the high accuracy of the surgical plan. The customized cutting guides and plates optimized the surgical precision and times for a low complication rate and adequate overall results independently of the number of compromised mandibular segments and procedure's complexity.
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Posted 12 Jan, 2021
On 15 Feb, 2021
Received 24 Jan, 2021
Received 20 Jan, 2021
On 13 Jan, 2021
On 10 Jan, 2021
Invitations sent on 08 Jan, 2021
On 02 Jan, 2021
On 02 Jan, 2021
On 02 Jan, 2021
On 27 Dec, 2020
Digital Surgical Planning for Mandibular Reconstruction With Free Fibula Flap: Is the Accuracy Affected by the Number of Compromised Mandibular Segments?
Posted 12 Jan, 2021
On 15 Feb, 2021
Received 24 Jan, 2021
Received 20 Jan, 2021
On 13 Jan, 2021
On 10 Jan, 2021
Invitations sent on 08 Jan, 2021
On 02 Jan, 2021
On 02 Jan, 2021
On 02 Jan, 2021
On 27 Dec, 2020
Background: Reconstructive mandibular surgery using free fibular flap in patients with defects due to oncologic resections aims to restore the lost functionality and appearance. Digital surgical planning (DSP) aids in designing the procedure through three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the anatomical defect, flap positioning, and contour restoration. Some studies have explored the DSP for assistance with mandibular reconstructions; however, most are limited in sample size and geographic region where these resources are available. Here we present a step-by-step DSP and the results obtained in a cohort of patients analyzed according to the number of compromised mandibular segments.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 90 procedures in which DSP was applied, from patients who underwent oncologic mandibulectomy and reconstruction using a free fibula flap from 2012 to 2019. Customized cutting guides and implants were used in all patients. Clínical data was obtained from medical records and information concerning the DSP from company archives. Ethics committee approval was obtained.
Results: patient's median age was 60 years; 52% were women. The most common tumor was squamous cell carcinoma in 49.4%. The medians of the mandibular defect volume and the length of the whole fibula flap were 12.24 cm3 and 9.24 cm. More than one mandibular segment was compromised in 44% of the patients. The median surgical and flap ischemia times were 380 and 76 minutes, respectively. In 95.5% cases, excellent bone apposition was achieved; four cases required minor intraoperative adjustments. Median follow-up was 14 months, and the complication rate was 18.9%. Satisfactory functional and aesthetic results were achieved in more than 60 and 70% of the cases. There were no differences in those outcomes according to the number of mandibular segments resected and reconstructed.
Conclusion: The digitally planned mandibular reconstructive procedures showed highly satisfactory results. The technology facilitated the completion of procedures without deviating from the surgical plan or requiring onsite adjustments. The latter indicated the high accuracy of the surgical plan. The customized cutting guides and plates optimized the surgical precision and times for a low complication rate and adequate overall results independently of the number of compromised mandibular segments and procedure's complexity.
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