Preoperative radiation is associated with a statistically significant increased risk of flap complications, failure and fistula. Preoperative radiation in excess of 60 Gy after radiotherapy represents a potential risk factor for increased flap loss and should be avoided where possible.

Both iliac- and fibula-free flaps should be considered for use in mandibular reconstruction. We suggest the iliac crest as the first choice for mandibular angle or body defects (better contour match) or also defects requiring greater soft-tissue bulk for intra-oral lining. The fibula flap is best when bony length is required such as in subtotal or total mandibulectomy.

Optimal outcomes in microsurgery have been attributed to a range of factors, with performing of end-to-end (ETE) versus end-to-side (ETS) influencing anastomotic complications and flap outcomes. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis was undertaken to evaluate the relative risks of anastomotic complications with ETE versus ETS approaches, for arterial and venous anastomoses looking at risk ratios (RRs) for thrombosis and overall flap failure. RRs of thrombosis and flap failure in ETS versus ETE venous anastomosis groups were 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-3.21) and 1.50 (95% CI: 0.85-2.67), respectively. The RRs of thrombosis and flap failure in ETS versus ETE arterial anastomosis groups were 1.04 (95% CI: 0.32-3.35) and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.72-1.48), respectively. Differences in rates of thrombosis and flap failure between ETE and ETS venous and arterial anastomoses are marginal and nonsignificant. As such, the type of anastomotic technique is best decided on a case-by-case basis, dependent on anatomical, surgical, and patient factors.