Jaw Reconstruction

Hello, currently you have what appears to be a titanium mandibular reconstruction plate in place providing support for your mandible.  If this is the case, although these implants can used for reconstruction after mandibulectomy, they are not always the most optimal.  Osteocutaneous free flaps, most notably the fibular osteocutaneous free flap, has revolutionized mandibular reconstruction after cancer removal.  They can provide satisfactory reconstruction even in the most... more

Dear klak44252,  The titanium plate can be an effective short term option for holding your remaining jaw in position, along with your occlusion (the way your teeth fit together).  One option that you havent mentioned is the use of a free tissue transfer (flap ) from another area of your body (leg, arm, hip, shoulder).  This microvascular free flaps provide an excellent option in some patients for mandible (jaw) reconstruction.  You may find it useful to discuss... more

Jaw or mandible reconstruction can be done numerous ways depending upon the size of the bone defect and whether one has had radiation or not. Since you appear to have an indwelling titanium plate, this would indicate that it spans the bone defect meaning there is a proximal and distal mandibular segment. A custom designed titanium mesh cage and plate can be made off of a 3-D model fabricated from a CT scan. This is secured onto the proximal and distal mandibular bone ends with the mesh... more