Clinical Presentation

A 40-year-old White male had previously sustained a gunshot wound to his mandible and left mandibular bony reconstruction was unsuccessful. He had a significant deformity of his left lower face and desired a “good” mandibular reconstruction, not only to improve his lower face contour and deformity but also to have possible future reconstruction for osteointegrated dental implants ( Figs. 5.1 and 5.2 ). A preoperative CT scan of his mandible was performed.

Fig. 5.1, A preoperative view showing a significant contour deformity of his left lower face with an incompetent lower lip.

Fig. 5.2, A preoperative close-up view showing an incompetent left lower lip and missing most front teeth.

Operative Plan and Special Considerations

This patient was also evaluated by our oral surgery service. After a careful preoperative evaluation of the mandible including a dental model, a large, approximately 10-cm mandibular bony gap of the mandible was identified ( Fig. 5.3 ). Because of the need for mandibular bony reconstruction, the future need for osteointegrated dental implant reconstructions and anticipated need for a skin coverage of the newly reconstructed mandible, a free fibula osteocutaneous flap reconstruction was offered to this patient. Because the dental model had already been made, a prebent 2.4-mm reconstruction plate was made preoperatively for secure occlusion and time saving in the operating room for plating the vascularized fibular bone graft. A preoperative angiogram was also performed to confirm a normal vascular anatomy of the left lower extremity.

Fig. 5.3, Preoperative 3-D dental model showing an exact mandibular bony defect and a prebent reconstruction plate used for the reconstruction.

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