ABSTRACT
The surgical registry was reviewed for mandibular reconstruction from 1988 to 1992.
During this time. 51 patients underwent mandibular reconstruction. Of this group,
17 patients had their microvascularbone grafts secured with lag-screw fixation. An
AO technique, utilizing 2.7-mm cortical screws, was used to provide rigid fixation.
Mandibular defects ranged from 6 to 20 cm. AO vas-cularized bone grafts were studied
with bone scans and remained viable. Follow-up reveak flap losses or oral cutaneous
fistulae. Lag-screw fixation, in conjunction with mandibular reconstruction, results
in rigid fixation, obviates the need for mandibulamaxillary fixation, has the advantage
of ease of application, and is safe louse.
