New modified free chimeric fibular flap design for head and neck reconstruction

Background The free fibular osteocutaneous flap is a commonly used flap for mandible and buccal mucosa reconstruction in head and neck cancer surgery. However, the skin paddle restriction from the intermuscular septum often limits the soft tissue reconstruction. Methods We have proposed a new modified chimeric fibular osteocutaneous flap design based on the combination of a traditional fibular flap and a peroneal artery perforator fasciocutaneous flap to overcome the restriction from intermuscular septum. Results We successfully applied this modified chimeric free fibular osteocutaneous flap design to 2 patients after buccal cancer wide excision surgery. Conclusion The modified free chimeric fibular flap can be easily applied to a segmental defect over the mandible and adjacent soft tissue without restrictions between the bone and the skin paddle. Furthermore, this skin paddle design can also serve as an extra skin paddle to reconstruct an outer cheek skin defect. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.