Talk Description
Institution: National Cancer Institute - Cairo, Egypt
Background: The management of mandibular tumors in pediatrics represents a great challenge in both the oncological and the reconstructive aspects. The free fibula has been proven to be the workhorse for mandibular reconstruction in adults. However, it's growth potential, feasibility of dental rehabilitation and its impact on the entire craniofacial skeleton are not clear.
Methods: We herein present our experience over 23 years from July 2002 to June 2025 at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt using the free fibula flap in reconstruction of post ablative mandibular defects in pediatric patients. Long term assessment of the growth of fibular segments, facial symmetry and dental rehabilitation were analyzed.
Results: A total of 26 pediatrics patients. The age ranged from 2 to 18 years with girls to boys ratio of 1 to 1.35. All patients had a preoperative tissue diagnosis and were assessed at the MDT preoperatively. Tumors included both odontogenic and non odontogenic. Sixteen patients received peri operative chemotherapy while 5 patients received post operatively. Six patients received preoperative XRT and another 8 patients received post operativeXRT. All flaps survived except for one patient that developed complete flap loss. This was salvaged with pectoralis myocutaneous flap. Another patient developed postoperative venous thrombosis and underwent successful re exploration. Post operative infection reported in 10 patients. Kids resumed daily social and sports activity except a boy suffered from ankle instability. Bone segments showed different patterns of growth, cephalometric studies demonstrated long term facial symmetry. Regard prognosis, Local and systemic relapses were mostly in the high grade sarcomas group.
Conclusion: In pediatric population, free fibula for mandibular reconstruction achieves rapid social reinterpretation of kids, rehabilitation with satisfactory long term functional, aesthetic outcomes and minimal donor site morbidities.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Prof Ayman Amin - , Prof Emad Ebeid - , Prof Marwa El Kassaby - , Lecturer Omar El Sabbagh - , Prof Mohamed Rifaat -