Sculpturing a fibular flap: Combined horizontal/vertical osteotomy and ostectomy for reconstruction of complex craniofacial defects with one flap

Abstract

A fibular flap has great versatility in reconstructive procedures. Osteomies and ostectomies enable the flap to be used for variable defects. We used combined horizontal/vertical osteotomy and ostectomy for reconstruction of complex craniofacial defects with one flap in two patients. Vertical osteotomy transforms the tubular structure of a fibula into a flat bone that can be used for reconstruction of wider defects with less vertical height. Neither vertical osteotomy nor ostectomy had negative effects on viability and bony healing of the segments in our patients. We think that the fibular flap, thanks to its versatility, can be used for reconstruction of complex orbito-zygomatic and orbito-cranial defects successfully. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.