Mandibular Condyle Reimplantation and Free Bone Grafting: Considerations to Increase Its Efficacy

Combined Use of Endoscopic Techniques and Virtual Surgical Planning for Intraoral Approach for Hemi-mandibular Resection and Reconstruction

Background

The study aimed to describe our experience in using endoscopic procedures to aid hemi-mandibular reconstruction with bone flaps through transoral approach.

Methods

Five patients with huge benign mandibular tumors underwent transoral mandibulectomy and hemi-mandibular reconstruction, using endoscopy. Facial symmetry, occlusion, bone healing, and mandibular similarity were all evaluated postoperatively. The paired-samples t test was used to compare quantitative data, and a P value less than 0.05 was considered a significant difference.

Results

All five patients who received transoral mandibular surgery recovered in terms of TMJ functionality, facial symmetry, and aesthetic results. Endoscopy monitored and ensured that bone flaps were correctly connected and fixed. The accuracy of endoscopy-guided mandibular reconstruction was confirmed by quantitative examination for four cases, which revealed no statistically significant variations between postoperative CT analysis and preoperative virtual surgical planning data.

Conclusions

Endoscopy-assisted virtual surgery may resolve concerns with transoral hemi-mandibular reconstruction and broaden indications for mini-invasive mandibular reconstruction. However, only patients with benign mandibular tumors were included in our study, so surgeons should be very cautious if applying this technique to malignant lesions or bony tumors invading soft tissues.

Simultaneous Condylar Reconstruction by Free Ramus Osteotomy Graft After Complete Condylectomy for Osteochondroma

ABSTRACT

Mandibular condyle osteochondromas cause morphologic and functional disturbances. Multiple options exist for reconstructing the condylar segment following complete condylectomy. In this series, we describe 3 cases of mandibular condyle osteochondroma treated with complete condylectomy, orthognathic surgery, and a novel free ramus osteotomy graft. This is the first report to reconstruct the temporomandibular joint using a free ramus graft. Through this single-staged approach we were able to avoid recurrence, preserve function, and restore facial balance without a separate donor site or an alloplastic implant.

Inferior alveolar nerve allogenic repair following mandibulectomy: A systematic review

PURPOSE

Processed nerve allografts (PNA) are an alternative to nerve autografts to reconstruct the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) when it is damaged. The purpose of this study was to report the results of IAN reconstruction using PNA in the context of aggressive benign mandibular pathology.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement through the MEDLINE (Pubmed) and SCOPUS (Elsevier) databases. Studies concerning reconstructive surgeries of IAN by PNA, performed at the same time as the surgical resection of the benign pathologies of the mandible were included. The following data were analyzed: gender and patient age, cause of mandibular resection, graft dimensions, sensory recovery at least 6 months after surgery according to the MRC scale, and adverse events related to the intervention.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 290 studies and 5 were included in the final review. A total of 33 patients underwent 36 IAN reconstructions; 14 patients were female (42.4%) and mean age was 30 years old. The mean length of graft used was 64.0 ± 9.1 mm. The most common pathology that led to nerve resection was ameloblastoma (52%). Among the reconstructions for which follow-up data were available, functional sensory recovery occurred in 92.9% of cases.

CONCLUSION

PNA are a reliable, safe, and effective alternative to nerve autografts for the rehabilitation of the IAN with 92.9% of functional recovery according to the reported literature, avoiding any comorbidity associated with the use of a donor site.

Parapharyngeal Hemangiopericytoma: the Role for Mandibular Proximal Segment Replantation-Review of Literature

Pharyngeal hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor .Surgical access to space has been selected based on the location of the tumor in this space, size, and type of pathology. Hemangiopericytoma requires extracapsular dissection. Hemorrhagic nature and tight attachment to adjacent tissues are the other reasons for choosing the surgical approach with the best access. The patient was a 55-year-old female with left-sided facial swelling and dumbbell-shaped lesion involving buccal and lateral pharyngeal space. Brisk hemorrhage happened during biopsy. Submandibular incision, osteotomy of mandibular angle, and temporary proximal segment removal were done. Extracapsular dissection of the lesion performed under direct vision. Proximal segment was returned to the original location and internally fixed with miniplate. Postoperative course was without complication. Mandibular proximal segment replantation technique should be used to treat parapharyngeal tumors with a hemorrhagic tendency.

The Fate of the Mandibular Reconstruction Plate

To preserve the continuity of the mandible after resection or traumatic bone loss, the defect is usually reconstructed with a bone graft fixed by a reconstruction plate. The fate of these plates is the objective of this study. Twenty-three patients (4 females and 19 males) required a reconstructive procedure to restore the discontinuity defect in the mandible by a mandibular reconstruction plate. Postoperative follow-up was performed to assess the outcomes of these plates. The mean age of the patients was 28.22 years. The most common cause of the discontinuity defect was bullet injury. The mean follow-up period was 3.65 years. The most common postoperative complication was the surgical site infection. The reconstruction plate of the mandible is associated with long-term success and body acceptance in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

Condyle Head Reimplantation Combined With Vascularized Free Flap for Mandibular Reconstruction

Due to the anatomic and functional complexity, reconstruction of the condylar process after mandibular tumor extirpation remains a surgical challenge. The aim of this study was to present the results and experience of condyle head reimplantation combined with vascularized free flap for mandibular reconstruction in our institution. In the current study, the authors evaluated the clinical features of condyle head reimplantation combined with vascularized free flap for mandibular reconstruction in 5 patients with benign mandibular intraosseous lesions from December 2013 to March 2015 in our institution. All patients showed nearly normal mouth opening, with minimal mandibular deviation and joint symptoms. The radiograph data showed that 4 patients had no obvious bone resorption of condyles while only 1 patient had prominent condyle resorption. All the condyles were cut above the condylar neck, with the biggest remaining condyle height being 2.8 cm and the smallest one being 1.1 cm. Moreover, the original vertical height of mandibular ramus was decreased by 2 to 3 mm during the surgery. In conclusion, this study revealed that combining the condyle reimplantation with vascularized free flap constitutes a reliable method in condylar reconstruction and a slight reduction of the vertical height of condyles may help to diminish unfavorable outcomes.