Alveolar Reconstruction by Distraction Osteogenesis Under Unfavorable Conditions

Biologic Reconstruction With a Motorized Intramedullary Bone Transport Nail After Tumor Resection

Distraction osteogenesis is an option for reconstruction of intercalary defects. The use of bone transport after tumor surgery has been limited because of concerns of pin tract infections with external fixation and the theoretical risk of causing tumor growth. The effects of chemotherapy and radiation on the regenerate and healing of the docking site are also not well studied, but the current literature has mostly favorable outcomes with no evidence of causing tumor proliferation. The Precice bone transport nail offers a noninvasive method of distraction osteogenesis, which eliminates the need for prolonged external fixation and the risk of pin tract infections. This report discusses the technique for using the Precice bone transport nail after tumor resection. Bone transport may be considered for intercalary defects after en bloc resection of sarcoma, metastatic disease, and benign aggressive bone tumors. The use of distraction osteogenesis after tumor resection is a promising technique for the biologic reconstruction of intercalary defects.

Is Distraction Osteogenesis of the Irradiated Craniofacial Skeleton Contraindicated?

BACKGROUND

Craniofacial distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a common treatment modality today. Despite its numerous advantages, however, concerns have been expressed regarding the use of DO in the irradiated setting.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed to identify all published reports of patients who underwent DO of the irradiated craniofacial skeleton. The following parameters were of particular interest: postoperative complications, specifically, insufficient bone formation, fracture, and hardware exposure (intraoral and cutaneous), as well as the need for additional bone grafting.

RESULTS

The initial search retrieved a total of 183 articles of which 20 articles (38 patients) met predetermined inclusion criteria. The most common site of distraction was the mandible (76.3%). The median radiation dose was 50.7 Gy (range, 30-70 Gy). Bone defects ranged from 30 to 80 mm (median, 42.5 mm). Complications were encountered in 19 patients (50%), with insufficient bone formation being most common (9 patients; 23%). The overall incidence of complications was not significantly associated with radiation dosage (P = 0.79). The remaining procedural and demographic variables also failed to meet statistical significance when compared against the overall complication rate (P = 0.27-0.97).

CONCLUSION

The complication rate associated with craniofacial DO of the irradiated skeleton does not appear to be substantially higher than what is reported for DO in the nonirradiated setting. As such, patients should be offered this treatment modality, particularly in light of the fact, that it offers the option to decrease patient morbidity as well as treatment complexity.

Mandibular Reconstruction in a Patient With Rosai-Dorfman Disease

OBJECTIVE

The Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare disorder known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy which affects other organs besides the lymphatic nodes. The most frequent clinical presentation is the skin involvement, but the most serious one is when the central nervous system is compromised. There are not clinical cases in the literature reporting the mandibular involvement and its management. The aim of this study is to report the case of a patient with this disease, her treatment, and her follow-up.

STUDY

A 32-year-old woman with RDD, who underwent a right mandibulectomy to treat osteomyelitis, and who suffered hemolytic anemia, lymphoproliferative syndrome, and bacterial meningitis by meningococcus treated successfully, is presented. She also had osteosynthesis plate exposure in 3 occasions. The authors performed a mandibular reconstruction with a fibula free flap. Vertical osteogenic distraction was done to improve the vertical height of the bone for osteointegrated implants and later oral rehabilitation.

METHODS

The senior authors performed mandibular reconstruction with a fibula free flap. Vertical osteogenic distraction was performed to improve the vertical height of the bone for osteointegrated implants and later oral rehabilitation. The patient achieved adequate function with a good mandibular height and occlusion.

RESULTS

The patient had a follow-up of 6 months. She is highly satisfied with her result. Preoperative and postoperative photos are shown.

DISCUSSION

In this rare case, the authors show the difficulties when treating this disease. The follow-up of the patient showed a successful reconstruction with good functional results.