Objective To investigate the clinical value of occlusal guide plate combined with intermaxillary fixation screw in mandibular defect repair with free fibular flap. Methods Between August and December 2011, 7 patients with mandibular tumor were treated, including 5 cases of ameloblastoma and 2 cases of gingival cancer. Of 7 patients, 4 were males and 3 were females, aged 32-65 years (median, 50 years). Occlusal guide plate was prepared and the implanted position of intermaxillary fixation screws was determined preoperatively. Hemimandibulectomy was performed in 5 cases, half mandibular segmental resection with condyle reservation in the other 2 cases. The free fibular flaps of 11-13 cm in length were harvested for repairing mandibular defects. When the free fibular flaps were fixed, the occlusal guide plate and intermaxillary fixation screws were utilized to restorate the occlusal relation. The donor site was sutured directly. Results The average operation time was 9.5 hours (range, 7-12 hours). All free fibular flaps survived completely. All incisions at the donor site and recipient site healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 10-14 months with an average of 12.3 months. All patients had symmetrical face, good occlusal relation, normal mouth opening, and normal mandibular lateral movement, and no pain of bilateral temporomandibular joints occurred. Panoramic tomography showed good mandibular contour and the suitable emplacement of fibular flaps postoperatively. No tumor recurrence occurred during follow-up period. Conclusion When repairing the mandibular defect with free fibular flap, occlusal guide plate with intermaxillary fixation screw contributes to simplifying operation, accurate recovery of the appearance and occlusal relation, and improving the oral comfort level postoperatively.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical outcomes of resection of mandibular benign tumors and primary reconstruction with autogenous bone graft via an intraoral approach. MethodsFifteen patients with mandibular benign tumors were treated between January 2009 and September 2012. There were 7 males and 8 females, aged from 18 to 45 years (mean, 30 years). The pathological diagnosis identified 11 cases of ameloblastoma, 3 cases of odontogenic keratocyst, and 1 case of odontogenic myxoma. According to the Urken's CRBS (Condyle, Ramus, Body, Symphysis) classification criteria based on the location of the mandibular defect, there were 3 cases of body type (B type), 3 cases of ramus type (R type), and 9 cases of body and ramus type (BR type). The surgeries were performed via an intraoral approach, except 1 patient with the lesion at the level of sigmoid notch via an auxiliary preauricular incision. To fix the bone grafts to the dissected mandibular defects, reconstructive titanium plates were used, either indirectly according to the computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing mandibular models before surgery (9 patients) or directly according to the exposed mandibles during surgery (6 patients). The patients received benign mandibular tumor resection and primary autogenous bone graft reconstruction with free iliac bones (11 cases) or vascularized fibular flaps (4 cases). The mandibular inferior alveolar nerves were preserved in 6 cases. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in 14 patients, while secondary healing in 1 patient suffering from bone graft infection. All the patients were followed up 1-4 years (mean, 2.5 years). At last follow-up, no patients showed facial nerve damage; occlusion of remaining teeth was similar to preoperative conditions; the chewing function was satisfactory; mouth opening was 30-35 mm (mean, 33 mm); and swallowing and speaking functions were normal. Only slight extraoral scars caused by the auxiliary incision and the transbuccal appliances were observed, and all the patients were satisfied with the facial appearance. Lower lip numbness was relived in patients with preserved inferior alveolar nerves. There was no tumor recurrence during follow-up period. ConclusionThe intraoral approach is a feasible and proper approach for resection of benign mandibular tumors and primary reconstruction with autogenous bone grafts, with the advantages of inconspicuous facial scars, minimum damage to the facial nerve, and expectable aesthetic appearance.
Objecitve To investigate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects. Methods Between November 2021 and February 2024, 11 patients with varying degrees of metatarsal defects caused by trauma were treated. There were 10 males and 1 female, aged 22-67 years, with a mean age of 51.2 years. The defect locations were as follows: the first metatarsal in 4 cases, the fifth metatarsal in 2 cases, the first and the second metatarsals in 1 case, the first to third metatarsals in 1 case, the third and the fourth metatarsals in 1 case, the third to fifth metatarsals in 1 case, and the first to fifth metatarsals in 1 case. The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 67.0 (48.5, 72.5). Based on 3D-printed bilateral foot models and mirrored healthy-side foot arch angles for preoperative planning and design, the vascularized fibular graft was performed to repair the metatarsal defects. At last follow-up, the medial and lateral longitudinal arches of bilateral feet were measured on weight-bearing X-ray films, and functional assessment was conducted using the AOFAS score. Results All operations were successfully completed, with an operative time ranging from 180 to 465 minutes (mean, 246.8 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention, with no occurrence of osteomyelitis. All patients were followed up 6-22 months (mean, 10 months). X-ray film reviews showed bone graft healing in all cases, with a healing time of 3-6 months (mean, 5 months). All patients underwent internal fixator removal at 6-12 months after operation. At last follow-up, no significant difference was observed in the medial and lateral longitudinal arches between the healthy and affected feet (P>0.05). The AOFAS score of the affected foot was 78.0 (73.5, 84.0), showing a significant improvement compared to the preoperative score (P<0.05). The effectiveness was rated as excellent in 1 case, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. Linear scarring remained at the donor site, with no functional impairment in adjacent joint movement. Conclusion 3D printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects can effectively restore the physiological angle of the foot arch, facilitate the recovery of weight-bearing alignment, promote good bone healing, and yield satisfactory clinical outcomes.