Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41656581›Full record

ArticleThe Laryngoscope2026

Anterolateral-Thigh Fascia Lata Free Flap Versus Fibula Free Flap for Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis.

Conrad K Blunck, Alexander Havens, Michael A Fritz, Brandon L Prendes, Derek J Vos, Amani Alvi, Sara Liu, Dane J Genther, Peter J Ciolek

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in The Laryngoscope, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Conrad K BlunckDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-0305-228X
Alexander HavensCase Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Michael A FritzDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Brandon L PrendesDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Derek J VosDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Amani AlviCase Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Sara LiuDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Dane J GentherDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Peter J CiolekDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesWhile standard treatments for mandibular osteoradionecrosis (MORN) exist for mild/superficial and severe/full thickness disease, there is no consensus on treatment for advanced, partial thickness disease. In this niche, the anterolateral thigh fascia lata (ALTFL) "rescue" flap has managed MORN successfully. This study aimed to compare ALTFL with fibula free flap (FFF) reconstruction to determine differences in outcomes, complications, and postoperative logistics.

methodsA retrospective chart review of patients undergoing ALTFL or FFF for MORN between 2008 and 2024 was carried out.

resultsFifty-one patients with Grade III (n = 26) or IV (n = 25) MORN underwent FFF (n = 22) or ALTFL (n = 29). ALTFL patients were older but did not differ in preoperative MORN treatment or risk factors compared to FFF. Median operative time for ALTFL was significantly less than FFF in both Grade III (298 min vs. 516 min) and IV (298 min vs. 599 min), without differences in subsites of mandible involved. Hospitalization for ALTFL was significantly shorter than FFF for both Grade III (2 days vs. 7 days) and IV (4.5 days vs. 7 days) without differences in peri-operative complications, flap failure or MORN resolution. Tracheotomy was performed more often for patients undergoing FFF for Grade III MORN. Patients who underwent ALTFL were more likely to return to a diet beyond soft within the follow-up period.

conclusionsThe ALTFL rescue flap offers reduced morbidity and improved resource allocation compared to FFF for the treatment of advanced, partial thickness MORN with similar outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4:

Indexed as

Fascia LataFibulaFree Tissue FlapsMandibular DiseasesOsteoradionecrosisAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPlastic Surgery ProceduresPostoperative ComplicationsRetrospective StudiesThighTreatment Outcomeanterolateral thigh rescue flapmandible reconstructionmicrovascular reconstructionosteoradionecrosis

Identifiers

PMID41656581
PMCPMC13158826

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