Aesthetic and anatomic subunit reconstruction of composite mandibular gunshot wound.

BACKGROUND

Gunshot facial traumas involving the mandible and surrounding soft tissues are represented by the potential for loss of relationships between the functional and the aesthetic subunits of the head.

METHODS

A patient presented with an 8-cm composite mandibular defect, resulting from a self-inflicted gunshot injury. Taking into account the anatomic/aesthetic subunits involved, a fibular osseoseptocutaneous flap was transferred to reconstruct the left lateral mandibular segment and the floor of the mouth, whereas a preexpanded temporal scalp flap was transferred to restore the hair-bearing skin of the left buccomandibular subunit. A review of the literature is also presented.

RESULTS

A satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcome was achieved. Although current literature supports the value of aesthetic subunit face reconstruction and the use of double flaps for the reconstruction of through-and-through oromandibular defects, there is no previous report of the combined use of temporal scalp flap and fibular osseocutaneous flap.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined use of hair-bearing skin and osseocutaneous flap may achieve optimal results in through-and-through oromandibular defects.