OP110: Indications for different microsurgical reconstructions of soft tissue and bone defects in the maxillo-craniofacial surgery

Abstract

Introduction Defects in the maxillofacial region mostly impact different qualities of tissues such as mucosa, muscles, bones and skin. These defects are corrected more and more with microsurgical flaps from other parts of the body. The choice of the right flap is necessary to achieve both good shape and quality in the reconstructed site. In this paper criteria for the right choice of correct microsurgical transplants are described after retrospective analyses. Material and methods In two Austrian clinics more than 300 patients presenting with facial defects were operated in the last 10 years. Individual reconstructions of these defects were performed with more than 20 different microsurgical flaps. Seven different bone flaps and 15 different soft tissue flaps were used. In this retrospective study all used transplants were analysed in their quality and in the quality of the defect region. Results Reconstructions of bony tissue were primarily used to achieve the correct shape, while soft tissue flaps were chosen to result in adequate tissue texture and quality of the replaced tissue. Other criteria for the choice of the soft tissue flaps were functional aspects of the defect site while also taking care of the problems in the donor sites. Discussion As described in literature, the right choice of microsurgical flaps is made when leading to morphological and functional rehabilitation of the defect site. Conclusion In this retrospective analysis it was shown that individual selection of microsurgical flaps is necessary to gain adequate shape and function in such patients.