Autologous freeze-treated bone for mandibular reconstruction after malignant tumor resection: a study of 72 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of mandibular reconstruction with autologous freeze-treated bone after mandibular resection for malignant tumors.


METHODS
The medical records of 72 consecutive patients surgically treated with segmental mandibular resection and reconstruction with autologous freeze-treated mandible were reviewed.


RESULTS
All tumors were in stage T4a for deep infiltration of the mandible. Soft tissues were reconstructed with a direct mucosal closure (4 cases), with a pedicled pectoralis flap (17 cases), and with a forearm fasciocutaneous free flap without or with radial periosteum (18 and 33 cases). Four patients presented with a recurrence after previous surgery and radiotherapy, and 26 patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy. We resected the mental arch in 35 cases and the lateral mandible in 37 cases. Forty-one patients (56.9%) retained their autologous mandibular graft. In 31 cases, the bone graft was removed for mucosal dehiscence and bone infection. Lateral resections achieved a better success rate than anterior resections (75.7% vs 37.1%). The pedicled pectoralis flap achieved the worse success rate (35.3%) in comparison with forearm fasciocutaneous flap (66.7%). Postoperative radiotherapy decreased the success rate (40.0% vs 69.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
Mandibular reconstruction with autologous frozen bone is an interesting alternative to more sophisticated methods for patients with oral cancer involving the bone. It is time and cost sparing in comparison to fibula or iliac crest flaps. However, in spite of any intraoral reconstruction, the success rate is not stirring. In our opinion, this type of mandibular reconstruction must be reserved to patients with lateral tumors, with poor prognosis, or severe comorbidities not allowing more complex bone reconstruction.
Cantu
Giulio
G
Department of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori di Milano (National Cancer Institute), Milano, Italy. giulio.cantu@istitutotumori.mi.it
Bimbi
Gabriella
G
Colombo
Sarah
S
Riccio
Stefano
S
Squadrelli
Massimo
M
Napoli
Umberto
U
Pompilio
Madia
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000637:transplantation*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult