title: Reconstruction of mandibular defects using nonvascularized autogenous bone graft in nigerians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the success rate and complications of mandibular reconstruction with nonvascularized bone graft in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 25 patients who underwent reconstruction of mandibular discontinuity defects between January 2003 and February 2012, at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife constituted the study sample. Relevant information was retrieved from the patients' records. This information include patients' demographics (age and sex) as well as the type of mandibular defect, cause of the defect, type of mandibular resection done, source of the bone graft used, and the method of graft immobilization. Morbidity associated with the graft procedures were assessed by retrieving information on graft failures, length of hospital stay following surgery, rehabilitation device used and associated graft donor and recipient site complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 12 males and 13 females with a male:female ratio was 1:1.1. The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 73 years with a mean age for males 32.7 ± standard deviation (SD) 12.9 and for females 35.0 ± SD 17.1. Jaw defect was caused by resection for tumours and other jaw pathologies in 92% of cases. Complete symphyseal involvement defect was the most common defect recorded 11 (44%). Reconstruction with nonvascularized rib graft accounted for 68% of cases while iliac crest graft was used in 32% of the patients. Successful take of the grafts was recorded in 22 patients while three cases failed. Wound dehiscence (two patients) and postoperative wound infection (eight patients) were the most common complications recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of nonvascularized graft is still relevant in the reconstruction of large mandibular defects caused by surgical ablation of benign conditions in Nigerians. Precise surgical planning and execution, extended antibiotic therapy, and meticulous postoperative care contributed to the good outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Kizito Chioma
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ndukwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Stephen Babatunde
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Aregbesola
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Innocent Chinedu
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Ikem
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Vincent I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Ugboko
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Kehinde Emmanuel
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Adebiyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olawunmi Adedoyin
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Fatusi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Foluso John
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Owotade
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ramat Oyebunmi
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Braimah
keywords: Mandibular defect; mandibular reconstruction; nonvascularized bone graft