Deep circumflex iliac artery free flap in the mandibular reconstruction

Abstract

Vascularized iliac crest flap include bone tissue of good quality and quantity for mandible segmental defect. Even if fibular flap can contain longer bone tissue, iliac crest has esthetic shape for mandible body reconstruction and large height for implant. Conventional vascularized iliac crest osteomyocutaneous flap is too bulky for reconstruction of intraoral soft tissue defect. But modified flap can reduce soft tissue volume, so is good for functional reconstruction of oral mucosa. It takes only one month for completely replace oral mucosa. The final mucosal texture is much better than other skin paddle flap, especially for implant prosthesis. Donor site morbidity of this method looks same level or less with other modalities functionally and socially. In case of oral mucosa-mandible combined defect, vascularized iliac crest with internal oblique muscle flap shows good outcomes for hard and soft tissue.