THE SENSATE FIBULA OSTEOSEPTOCUTANEOUS FLAP - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

The ideal oromandibular reconstruction calls for restoration of intrao ral sensation as well as tissue replacement because the loss of sensat ion in the oral cavity impairs oral function. The versatility and flex ibility of the fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap in complex three dimens ional spatial positioning lends itself to be desirable in composite or omandibular reconstruction. It falls short of being ideal because the skin paddle of the flap is usually insensate and thus oral sensation i s not restored. The skin paddle of the fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap is innervated by the lateral sural cutaneous nerve and this nerve can be preserved and reinnervated to restore sensation to the skin paddle . The sensate fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap may be the ideal flap fo r one stage composite reconstruction of oromandibular defects. This is a preliminary report on the sensory return of the sensate fibula oste oseptocutaneous flap in oromandibular reconstruction.