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Open Access 19-07-2022 | Radiotherapy | Original Paper

Free vascularized flap reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis of the mandible: a 25-year retrospective cohort study

Authors: Stefanie C. M. van den Heuvel, T. R. I. van den Dungen, E. A. J. M. Schulten, M. G. Mullender, H. A. H. Winters

Published in: European Journal of Plastic Surgery | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw is a severe complication of radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. If conservative treatment and surgical debridement have been unsuccessful, the preferred treatment for symptomatic mandibular osteoradionecrosis (mORN) is radical surgery and subsequent reconstruction with a free vascularized flap. This study aims to assess the outcomes of free vascularized flap reconstruction in mORN.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on all patients who underwent a free vascularized flap reconstruction for mORN between 1995 and 2021 in Amsterdam UMC – VUmc, The Netherlands.

Results

In our cohort study, three of the twenty-eight flap reconstructions failed (10.7%). No recurrences of mORN were observed during a mean follow-up of 8 years.

Conclusions

The success rate of free vascularized flap reconstruction for mORN is high. The fibula is the preferred free flap for mandibular reconstruction in mORN cases. However, this type of surgery is at risk for complications and patients need to be informed that these complications may require surgical re-intervention.

Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic; Risk/Prognostic.

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Title: Free vascularized flap reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis of the mandible: a 25-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Stefanie C. M. van den Heuvel
T. R. I. van den Dungen
E. A. J. M. Schulten
M. G. Mullender
H. A. H. Winters
Publication date: 19-07-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Radiotherapy
Published in: European Journal of Plastic Surgery / Issue 1/2023
Print ISSN: 0930-343X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-0130
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-022-01980-z

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Free vascularized flap reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis of the mandible: a 25-year retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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