Evaluation of patients undergoing long-term follow-up after mandibular reconstruction applied tissue engineering

Abstract

We evaluated patients undergoing long-term follow-up after mandibular reconstruction applied tissue engineering with a bioabsorbable poly L-lactic acid (PLLA) mesh and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM).
The subjects were 40 patients in whom complete or partial responses were achieved 6 months after this method (malignant tumors: 14 patients, benign tumors: 26 patients). Methods for mandibular resection consisted of marginal resection in 21 patients, segmental mandibulectomy in 16, and hemi-mandibulectomy in 3. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 12 years, with a mean of 6 years and 2 months. There were no PLLA mesh tray-related adverse reactions. Regenerative bone resorption was less than 10% in 32 patients, 10 to 20% in 6, and 20 to 30% in 2. Bone resorption after 1 year was less marked. In contrast, ossification was advanced in patients achieving bite recovery in the early stage. Usual dentures were applied in 21 patients, and dental implants in 5. This procedure facilitates morphological and functional mandibular recovery, and is less invasive. It may improve bite/masticatory functions in the presence of denture application and/or dental implants.