Reliable, minimally invasive oromandibular reconstruction using metal plate rolled with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap

Diagnostic Features and Management Strategy of a Refractory Case of Osteoradionecrosis of the Mandible: Case Report and Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaws produces a considerable amount of esthetic as well as functional deficits seriously affecting quality of life of the patient. Cases are often notoriously difficult to treat and manage owing to associated comorbidities of the patient, post irradiation fibrosis and decreased vascularity at the site, which complicates free tissue flap and graft transfer, that subsequently succumb to failure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), in which 100 % oxygen is administered by mask under 2.4 atm pressure, in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, helps by increasing local vascularity.

AIM AND METHODS

It was the aim of this study to show that a particularly refractory, compromised and challenging case of osteoradionecrosis can be managed successfully even without HBOT, by mandibular segmental resection followed by reconstruction using a titanium reconstruction plate enveloped within a pedicled Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous flap.

RESULT

Post operative recovery of the patient was excellent with good functional and esthetic rehabilitation of the patient with and practically nil donor site morbidity.

CONCLUSION

It is important to have a thorough knowledge of the clinical, radiographic, histopathologic, CT and MRI features of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws in order to make a quick and accurate confirmatory diagnosis and to overcome possible diagnostic dilemmas. The strategy of reconstruction of a large mandibular defect using a bridging titanium plate sandwiched by a healthy vascularized myocutaneous flap, following ablative surgery for ORN, has proved to be a safe and reliable option for composite mandibular defects, with gratifying long term functional and cosmetic results.

Three-Dimensional Anatomical Vascular Distribution in the Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap

BACKGROUND

In head and neck reconstruction, the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, located adjacent to the area of reconstruction, is a very useful and easy-to-prepare flap. However, it is reported to have an unstable blood circulation that could result in partial necrosis of the skin island. The current study investigated the detailed three-dimensional vascular network in the flap to establish a method of preparation with a stable circulation.

METHODS

The pectoralis major muscle and the anterior chest skin on 12 sides of eight fresh cadavers were subjected to angiographic procedures in which contrast medium was injected selectively to the internal thoracic artery and the thoracoacromial artery. On another fresh cadaver, resin was injected in the same manner, and a clear specimen of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was prepared.

RESULTS

The pectoralis major muscle consists of two anatomical vascular territories that the choke vessels in the muscle at the level of the fourth costal cartilage divide into cranial and caudal sides. The chest skin area on the caudal side where the skin island of the flap is prepared receives its blood supply from a dense anastomotic network formed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth intercostal perforating branches.

CONCLUSIONS

The blood flow in the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery runs through the choke vessels that dilate at the elevation of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, first into the fourth intercostal perforating branches; then to the anastomotic vascular network of the fourth, fifth, and sixth intercostal perforating branches; and finally to reach the periphery of the skin island.