Original article
The use of the rib grafts in head and neck reconstruction

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejenta.2011.08.004Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

Many grafting materials are available for reconstructing variable defects of the head and neck.

Objective

The aim is to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the rib grafts in head and neck reconstruction.

Patients and methods

The rib grafts were used to reconstruct variable deformities and/or defects in the mandible (12 patients), nose (13 patients), skull and cranial base (six patients), maxilla (five patients), trachea (three patients), and auricle (one patient).

Results

All patients showed good healing at the recipient site with successful reconstruction of the structural deformity and accepted esthetic and functional results indicating survival and take of the grafts except in one patient (2.5%) where graft necrosis occurred because of infection. Wound dehiscence and graft exposure were not reported. At the donor site, mild wound infection occurred in two patients (5%) which was controlled by conservative measures with no reports of dehiscence or pneumothorax.

Conclusion

The rib provides reliable abundant grafting materials sufficient to successfully reconstruct variable defects in the head and neck region.

Keywords

Rib
Defects
Reconstruction

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