title: The CAD-CAM technique for mandibular reconstruction: an 18 patients oncological case-series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Modern techniques for mandibular reconstruction, such as CAD-CAM, offer new solutions for planning of reconstructive surgery in relation to the aesthetic outcome and the prosthetic rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  CAD-CAM reconstruction procedures using vascularised bone free-flap transfers and surgical guides to cut the mandible and fibula were performed in 18 cases of neoplasms. The planned surgery was used to design and manufacture customised surgical devices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up was 12 months. All patients, except one, are alive without disease at the time of writing. Reconstructive microvascular flap survival was 100%. No major or minor microvascular complication occurred. No donor site complication was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CAD-CAM technology is a very useful way to obtain the native morphology of the mandible, especially when both bi-dimensional and tri-dimensional defects occur. The reconstruction protocol presented offers several benefits and few disadvantages, which are discussed in the article.
authors.affiliation: Maxiollofacial Surgery Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40100 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: achilletarsitano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarsitano
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via S. Vitale 59, 40125 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzoni
authors.affiliation: S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40100 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.affiliation: Section of Prosthodontics, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via S. Vitale 59, 40125 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via S. Vitale 59, 40125 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.affiliation: Section of Prosthodontics, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via S. Vitale 59, 40125 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciocca
mesh_terms: D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000601:surgery; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005360:Fibula / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014025:Titanium
keywords: CAD–CAM procedures; Head and neck reconstruction; Mandibular neoplasms; Mandibular reconstruction