title: [Restoration of the contour of the lower face by reconstruction of the mandible after tumor resection].
abstract: We evaluated the restoration of mandibular contour in 44 patients after continuity reconstructions of the mandible following tumor surgery. Average values of the lateral dimensions of both the mandible and overlying soft tissue were determined from serial CT scans in defined planes through the reconstructed mandible and showed satisfactory restoration of the lateral mandibular contour. The sagittal projection, however, showed a deficit in average values. The lack of sagittal projection and the fact that the lateral contour may also vary considerably in individual cases are due to unfavorable soft tissue conditions in secondary reconstruction cases. Meticulous preoperative evaluation is necessary in these cases to allow for exact determination of the desired size and position of the graft to make restoration of symmetry and projection of the lower third of the face more reliable.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie, MHH, Hannover.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schliephake
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmelzeisen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hustedt
authors.forename: L U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Wondera
mesh_terms: D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002508:Cephalometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed