Clinical Presentation
Nine out of fifteen patients (60%) presented with a jaw mass, highlighting its prevalence as the primary symptom [PMID:37079945].
Management
In a case study [PMID:40592443], a 69-year-old male with left mandibular GSCC underwent successful reconstruction using a deep circumflex iliac artery vascularized iliac crest flap, achieving stable osseous integration and viable soft tissue coverage.
The study [PMID:40592443] highlights the use of preoperative virtual planning and 3D-printed guides to facilitate precise surgical execution in reconstructing defects post-mandibulectomy.
A mandibulectomy was performed in 12 out of 15 cases (80%), underscoring the necessity of surgical intervention [PMID:37079945].
Reconstruction methods included a fibular free flap in 6 patients (40%) and plates in 3 patients (20%) following mandibulectomy [PMID:37079945].
Twenty-two patients underwent reconstruction using various types of BMMF with a mean flap harvest time of 28.6 minutes, demonstrating minimal morbidity and favorable functional outcomes [PMID:29224831].
Complications
Complete flap necrosis occurred in one patient (4.5%) using an island flap, while no other major complications were reported [PMID:29224831].
Prognosis & Follow-up
Postoperative evaluation in the reported case [PMID:40592443] showed no recurrence and positive outcomes in terms of both function and aesthetics, underscoring the potential long-term benefits of such reconstructive techniques.
All patients showed normal speech and swallowing functions, with articulation correctness >90% and a mean swallowing satisfaction score of 9.6, and no recurrence at level I was observed despite occult neck lymph node metastasis in 13.6% of patients [PMID:29224831].
References
1 Zeng B, Lin H, Drissa D, Zhou R, Ma L, Zhao X et al.. Vascularized iliac crest flap with double musculocutaneous skin islands for reconstruction of composite buccal and mandibular defects after gingival squamous cell carcinoma resection: A case report. Journal of stomatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery 2025. link 2 Hintze JM, Afshar S, Taghinia A, Labow B, Green M, Robson CD et al.. A multi-disciplinary team approach to pediatric malignant mandibular tumors. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2023. link 3 Ahn D, Lee GJ, Sohn JH. Reconstruction of oral cavity defect using versatile buccinator myomucosal flaps in the treatment of cT2-3, N0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: Feasibility, morbidity, and functional/oncological outcomes. Oral oncology 2017. link