The use of the rib grafts in head and neck reconstruction

BackgroundMany grafting materials are available for reconstructing variable defects of the head and neck.ObjectiveThe aim is to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the rib grafts in head and neck reconstruction.Patients and methodsThe rib grafts were used to reconstruct variable deformities and/or defects in the mandible (12 patients), nose (13 patients), skull and cranial base (six patients), maxilla (five patients), trachea (three patients), and auricle (one patient).ResultsAll patients showed good healing at the recipient site with successful reconstruction of the structural deformity and accepted esthetic and functional results indicating survival and take of the grafts except in one patient (2.5%) where graft necrosis occurred because of infection. Wound dehiscence and graft exposure were not reported. At the donor site, mild wound infection occurred in two patients (5%) which was controlled by conservative measures with no reports of dehiscence or pneumothorax.ConclusionThe rib provides reliable abundant grafting materials sufficient to successfully reconstruct variable defects in the head and neck region.