[The osteocutaneous outer arm flap. A new concept in microsurgical mandibular reconstructions].

The authors present five cases where the OCLAF technique was adapted to reconstruct large mandibular defects. Some significant advantages made us think about the possibility of the OCLAF as an acceptable alternative in that specific case. These are the ease and safety of the dissection, the respect of a bony vascularisation, a very valuable pedicle size, and a remarkable mobility of the skin paddle to the underlying bone. Of course we had to face some minor disadvantages: the microsurgical procedure, the donor site scar, the absence of cancellous bone in the transfer and the weakening of the bone shaft at the donor site. Nevertheless we think the OCLAF is to be considered whenever large mandibular defects have to be reconstructed with vascularized bone.