Table 5 Management of 39 patients with plate exposure
 Original Flap Utilized | ||
 Fibular Flap | 25 (64.1%) | |
 Radial Forearm Free Flap | 7 (17.9%) | |
 Anterolateral Thigh Flap | 3 (7.7%) | |
 Scapular Free Flap | 4 (10.3%) | |
Post-operative Issues: | ||
 flap failures (24 h take-back) | 3 (7.7%) | |
 infection | 19 (48.7%) | |
 hematoma | 1 (2.6%) | |
Post-op Radiation: | ||
 yes | 26 (66.7%) | |
 no | 13 (33.3%) | |
Time to Plate Exposure: | ||
 mean | 15.1 months (0.4 – 120.8) | |
 median | 9.24 months | |
Exposure Location: | ||
 intraoral | 23 (59.0%) | |
 external | 15 (38.5%) | |
 unknown | 1 (2.5%) | |
Mean Time to Plate Exposure by Location: | ||
 Internal | 13.6 +/− 10.4 months | p = 0.012* |
 External | 42.3 +/− 18.0 months |  |
Concurrent Bony Concerns: | ||
 non-union | 7 (17.9%) | |
 bone exposure | 5 (12.8%) | |
Management: | ||
 Conservative | 11 (28.3%) (1 palliative, 1 complete closure, ongoing monitoring) | |
 OR Plate Removal/Debridement | 9 (23.1%) | |
 OR Plate removal + Local Flap | 6 (15.3%) | |
 OR Plate Removal + Free Flap | 13 (33.3%) | |
Outcomes: | ||
 Multiple Revision | 7 (17.9%) | |
 Chronic Drainage | 1 (2.6%) | |
 Recurrence | 2 (5.1%) | |
 Deceased | 3 (7.7%) | |