[Skeleton reconstruction of oblique facial clefts using mandibular outer table].
OBJECTIVE
This paper presents a new method of skeleton reconstruction for oblique facial clefts using autogenous bone of the mandibular outer table.


METHODS
In the operation, the mandibular outer table was harvested through the intraoral approach. Assisted with internal rigid fixation technique, the mandibular outer table was used to reconstruct the naso-orbital framework as inlay or onlay bone graft.


RESULTS
From 1993 to 2001, seven cases of oblique facial clefts were repaired with mandibular outer table bone graft. Postoperative follow-up for 6 months to 3 years demonstrated that the grafted bone healed well with the adjacent bones. No obvious bone resorption was observed. The facial appearance was improved greatly.


CONCLUSIONS
The mandibular outer table, with similar bone density to the calvarium, is easy to harvest without donor site scar. The method is quite ideal for skeleton reconstruction of oblique facial clefts.
Gui
Lai
L
Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgical Hospital, Academy of Medical Sciences, Ba-Da-Chu, Beijing.
Wang
Ji-Chang
JC
Zhang
Zhi-Yong
ZY
Liu
Wei
W
Niu
Feng
F
Jin
Ji
J
Xia
De-Lin
DL
Yu
Bing
B
Luo
Ji-Chao
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002648:Child; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000637:transplantation*; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities; D009915:Orbit / Q000002:abnormalities; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome