Myocutaneous and Myo-Osseous Flaps for Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction

Abstract

Defects of the oral and maxillofacial region resulting from trauma, tumor ablation, radiation, infection, etc, often involve bone and soft tissues. The importance of well vascularized soft tissues in the successful management of these extensive defects is well recognized. Local muscle and bone donor sources exist, adjacent to the maxillofacial region, which permits transfer of these tissues and may obviate the need for more distant pedicled flaps or free vascularized tissue transfer. The major advantage of local transfer is technical ease, less morbidity, and compliance with the surgical principle of using proximal donor sources for reconstruction.