Vascularized Free Fibular Flap in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction: A 20-year Experience at a Single Institution Using 2640 Flaps

Abstract

Background: This retrospective study reviewed all patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial reconstruction with fibular flaps in the last 2 decades at a single hospital. Materials and Methods: We reviewed all patients with fibular flaps from 1999 to 2018. The following data were collected: sex; age; reconstruction region; diagnosis; the number of days spent in the hospital after surgery; time spent using a tourniquet for harvesting a fibula flap; vessels at the recipient site; the prevalence of unplanned reoperations; the prevalence of flap failure; history of preoperative radiotherapy; virtual surgical planning; segments of the fibula. Results: In total, 2640 patients were included. The mean age was 45.5 years. The most prevalent region of reconstruction was the mandible (n=2347, 88.9%). The most common diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma (n=1057, 40.0%). The mean number of days spent in the hospital after surgery decreased year-by-year from 18.3 days to 10.4 days. The first choice of recipient artery was the facial artery (n=1643, 62.2%) and that of the recipient vein was the external jugular vein (n=1196, 45.3%). The prevalence of surgical success was 97.6%. Prevalence of unplanned reoperations was 7.5%. Conclusions: The fibular flap was a good choice for oral and maxillofacial bony reconstruction in most cases.