Mandibular reconstruction with frozen autologous mandibular bone and radial periosteal fasciocutaneous free flap: Preliminary report

The authors present a new method of mandibular reconstruction with frozen autologous mandibular bone. Vascular supply to the neomandible is ensured by the periosteal layer of a microvascular radial periosteal fasciocutaneous free flap, placed so as to envelop the bone and cover the surgical defect. The use of the periosteal layer of the radius to provide new blood vessels to the frozen mandible is an original technical feature that we describe. We describe 2 cases of oral carcinoma involving the mandible, treated with mandibular resection and reconstruction. This technique allows good functional and aesthetic results, avoiding more serious complications related to the use of composite free flaps harvested from distant anatomic donor sites.