Mandibular Reconstruction

The use of vascularized versus nonvascularized bone grafts for reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects continues to remain a heavily debated topic within the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The use of nonvascularized bone grafts for both simple and complex forms of mandibular reconstruction has long been used throughout our specialty's storied history and it continues to remain a cornerstone of mandibular reconstruction in contemporary surgical practice. However, with an ever-increasing component of the specialty gaining advanced training in microvascular surgery, the availability and reliance on free tissue transfer for more complex forms of mandibular reconstruction has significantly increased in the past 10 to 20 years.