Use of the osteomuscular dorsal scapular flap in the reconstruction of mandibular defects.

Abstract

The gold standard for mandibular defect reconstruction is the fibular free flap. Nevertheless, the pedicled osteomuscular dorsal scapular flap as a reconstructive tool offers promise for mandibular defect reconstruction and could be the first choice in certain circumstances. Its use in resource-limited settings offers an excellent solution to otherwise difficult reconstructive problems of the mandible. In 8 patients, mandibular defects resulting from the excision of benign tumors (6), trauma (1), and chronic osteomyelitis (1) were reconstructed using the pedicled osteomuscular dorsal scapular flap; these defects included the central segment of the mandible. The pedicled osteomuscular dorsal scapular flap is an excellent choice for mandibular reconstruction; it may serve as the primary choice in patients with vascular pathology that precludes free tissue transfer, as well as in resource-limited environments, as a secondary choice after a failed free flap reconstruction.