Is the prevention of condylar sag with maxillomandibular fixation the key to functional reconstruction of a mandibular disarticulation resection?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the use of the free fibula flap for reconstruction with mandibular disarticulation resections. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart cohort review was performed in patients reconstructed with a fibula free flap for a mandibular disarticulation resection at an academic tertiary care institution over a 5-year period. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included in the study. Fourteen patients were treated for benign pathology, and 10 cases were malignant. Average follow-up was 20 months. Virtual surgical planning/3-dimensional models were used in all cases. Maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) with surgical wires was used in 65% (n = 13/20) of the dentate patients. Average maximum interincisal opening was 28.2 mm in patients receiving radiation and 38.7 mm in the nonradiated group (P = .01). No patient developed joint ankylosis. Neocondyle position was an average of 11.7 mm from condylar fossa, radiographically. Seventeen of the dentate patients (85%) had reproducible class I occlusion. Occlusion was superior in patients placed into MMF compared with those with elastics or no MMF (P = .06) and independent of the position of the neocondyle (P = .19). CONCLUSIONS: The vascularized fibula flap can be used to provide functional reconstruction of the mandibular condyle defect. The use of at least 2 weeks of MMF maintains an adequate occlusion irrespective of the fibula-glenoid fossa position. The neocondyle does not need to directly abut the articular disc or fossa for adequate functional outcomes.