Free vascularized bone grafts for reconstruction of traumatic bony defects of mandible and maxilla

Small bone defects of the mandible and maxilla can be surgically treated with conventional bone grafts provided local conditions are optimal for bone healing. However, when the bone defect is large, is associated with soft tissue loss, or when conventional bone grafting fails, a free vascularized bone graft often becomes an important alternative to ensure adequate healing. As free vascularized bone grafting is today considered a more reliable procedure for bone reconstruction, with success rates over 96%, we prefer to treat even smaller segmental bone defects with this technique when local conditions are less than ideal. The technique also allows for simultaneous insertion of osteointegrated dental implants at the time of vascularized bone grafting, thereby facilitating earlier total oral rehabilitation.