ABSTRACT
Large palatomaxillary and oromandibular defects have a dramatic impact on speech,
deglutition, mastication, and cosmesis. Traditional methods of reconstruction, such
as locoregional flaps, free bone grafts, alloplastic materials, and prosthetic devices,
have difficulty providing meaningful aesthetic and functional reconstruction of these
defects. This article discusses current concepts in the reconstruction of large composite
palatomaxillary and oromandibular defects with an emphasis on the role of free tissue
transfer, including the factors to be evaluated when choosing a method of reconstruction,
indications for specific donor sites, and recent technical refinements.
KEY WORDS
Palatomaxillary - mandibular - reconstruction - free-flap
