title: Reconstruction of a large mandibular defect utilizing temporary zygomatic-ramal fixation and bilateral Risdon incisions.
abstract: Ameloblastoma is a benign, invasive, odontogenic tumor of the jaws that predominantly affects the mandible. Despite the benign nature of these lesions, there is a high rate of local recurrence after curettage, which usually requires resection. The traditional surgical approach for resection of ameloblastomas, via either mandibulotomy or mandibulectomy, has been through lower lip-splitting incisions, which are associated with significant functional and esthetic sequelae. A case is presented here in which less invasive Risdon and intraoral degloving incisions were used in combination with temporary zygomatic-ramal fixation to maintain occlusion after resection of a large mandibular ameloblastoma. The bilateral Risdon approach provided wide access to the mandible, allowing an angle-to-angle resection to be performed. This approach also provided adequate exposure for an osteocutaneous fibula free flap reconstruction to be performed, with 100% flap survival. At 1 year of follow-up, there were minimal functional and esthetic defects. This approach represents a less invasive alternative that provides access to the mandible for curative resection of benign tumors with minimal postoperative sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, New York University Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Derderian
authors.forename: Geoffrey C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Gurtner
authors.forename: Joseph G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015050:Zygoma / Q000601:surgery