Indications for the microvascular medial femoral condylar flap in craniomaxillofacial surgery

Abstract

The medial femoral condylar flap makes it possible to reconstruct bone, cartilage, and skin, but elongation of the pedicle is usually required to bridge the distances to the vascular connections in the neck. The indications in the maxillofacial area include reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), pseudarthrosis of the jaws, osteonecrosis of the jaws and skull, and augmentation of bone in irradiated or otherwise compromised tissue. If small bony defects require safe and reliable osseous, osteochondral, or osteocutaneous reconstruction, the medial femoral condylar flap can be used to fill the gap between small avascular, and larger microvascular, bone transplants.

Keywords: Head and neck; Maxillofacial surgery; Medial femoral condylar flap; Reconstructive surgery.