Enhancing fibula free flap skin island reliability and versatility for mandibular reconstruction.

Although the fibula osteocutaneous free flap has many advantages when used in mandibular reconstruction, many investigators have found the skin island is not always reliable. We present a technique that enhances skin island reliability by including a maximal number of skin perforators. This method has been used in 10 consecutive osteocutaneous free flaps without any skin loss. This technique also expands the usefulness of the fibula free flap, allowing it to be used for shorter bone defects or in cases when skin coverage is needed at a distance from the bone. In addition, this method provides additional vascularized soft tissue for neck contour restoration and coverage of fixation plates.