What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of 23 patients who underwent iliac crest bone graft with anterolateral thigh fascia lata rescue flap for mandibular osteoradionecrosis between 2011 and 2023.
What They Found
Among 23 patients (mean age 66.5 years, 73.9% male), the median length of stay was 3 days, and mandibular height was restored to an average of 1.9 cm. Only one episode of flap failure was reported, requiring an additional procedure, with no other major complications at the reconstructed site.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This surgical approach offers a potential rescue option for Canadian patients suffering from severe mandibular osteoradionecrosis, particularly when conventional therapies have failed. It suggests a method to restore mandibular stability and height with a relatively short hospital stay and low complication rate.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted at a single institution outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
Limitations include its retrospective design, single-institution data, and relatively small sample size.