title: Customized repair of fractured mandibular reconstruction plates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a novel technique using custom prostheses to repair fractured mandibular reconstruction plates spanning discontinuity defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective case series reviewing the design, rapid manufacture, and use of a novel method to repair fractured plates. Three patients who could not undergo autogenous bone grafting procedures or replacement of the entire plate for medical or socioeconomic factors were treated by this method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients with fractured reconstruction plates were treated with a custom prosthesis engaging the reconstruction plate. Continuity and function were restored with a minimally invasive operation and short hospital stay. The custom prosthesis remained in place with stable occlusion in all 3 patients at a minimum of 9 months' follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A technique using a custom prosthesis to quickly and less invasively restore continuity and function of the mandible after fracture of a reconstruction plate is described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. zpeacock@partners.org
authors.forename: Zachary S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Afshar
authors.forename: Saylan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lukas
authors.forename: Leonard B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Kaban
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000601:surgery; D001860:Bone Plates; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000601:surgery; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D063168:Mandibular Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000601:surgery; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000601:surgery; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface