Bone impacted fibular free flap: a novel technique to increase bone density for dental implantation in osseous reconstruction.

BACKGROUND Fibular free flap (FFF) bone has thick cortical bone surrounding a fatty marrow. The cortex has sufficient density for dental implantation, but the marrow limits bone stock. A novel technique was devised to increase bone density: the bone-impacted fibular free flap (BIFFF). The purpose of this study was to: (1) describe the BIFFF technique; (2) evaluate the bone density of BIFFF; and (3) evaluate the stability/success of implants placed in BIFFFs. METHODS Patients undergoing maxillary/mandibular reconstruction with FFFs were prospectively enrolled from 1998 to 2008. Two cohorts were compared: BIFFF and nonmodified FFF. The main outcome was bone density as seen on CT scans. Primary dental implant stability was determined via Periotest. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients were included in this study. BIFFFs achieved higher bone density versus unmodified FFFs (p < .05). Greater primary dental implant stability occurred in BIFFFs (p < .05). One hundred percent of BIFFF and 59% of nonmodified FFF implants were successful at 1 year. CONCLUSION BIFFF increases reconstructed bone density, initial dental implant stability, and 1-year implant success.