The mandible is one of the important parts of the body in
terms of facial appearance and function. Vascularized free
bone grafts have become the criterion standard in mandible
reconstruction. Bone grafts from the iliac crest showed a
significantly higher bone loss of 24.16% [1].
Functional and aesthetic results also showed that
oral
continence, social activities, and facial appearance rates of fibula
flap were superior to iliac crest flap. Lower complication rates
of fibula flap group may be associated with patient’s higher
satisfaction rate. Both flaps are commonly used in mandibular
reconstruction; however, many parameters including defect
localization, defect size, presence of soft tissue defect should be
considered [2].
Fibular flap was the flap of choice in total/subtotal
mandibulectomy, but it does not appear preferable in
hemimandibulectomy and/or in cases of segmental
mandibulectomy, if compared with the iliac crest [3].
Nonvascularized fibular bone graft is as better as iliac crest for
reconstruction of mandibular defects of optimal length [4].
The main complications of using iliac crest grafts are
anaesthesia of the skin supplied by the lateral cutaneous nerve
of the thigh, incisional hernias, wound dehiscence in the thigh,
oronasal fistulas, wound dehiscence in the neck, infection by
methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the thigh, and
long-term disturbances of gait [5].
The main advantages of reconstruction using fibular flap
method include the bicortical structure of the bone and its
adaptability to conform to the mandibular contour. The only
real disadvantage is the limited height of the bone graft, which
does not allow alveolar ridge reconstruction. An implant-borne
dental prosthesis can, however, generally be made for functional
occlusal rehabilitation [6].
Comparing the quality of life associated with these two
methods of mandibular reconstruction Patients with an iliac
crest bone graft had significantly better chewing and swallowing.
These findings suggest that reconstruction with the iliac crest
had benefits in improved function (chewing, swallowing, and
taste) rather than esthetics, donor site morbidity, or psychologic
discomfort [7].
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