Abstract
We analyzed postoperative complications in patients with mandibular reconstruction using a mandibular reconstruction plate and soft tissue graft. This retrospective study evaluated 22 patients (14 men, 8 women; mean age, 68.0 years) who underwent mandibular reconstruction using a titanium reconstruction plate and soft tissue graft for mandibular reconstruction after mandibular resection. Underlying pathologies were squamous cell carcinoma of the lower gingiva (n=17), adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sublingual gland (n=2), ameloblastoma of the mandible (n=2) and chondrosarcoma of the mandible (n=1). Five patients were treated using chemoradiotherapy and 3 patients received chemotherapy alone. In addition, 13 patients received preoperative therapy (chemoradiotherapy, n=5; chemotherapy alone, n=4; radiotherapy alone, n=4) and 7 patients underwent postoperative therapy (radiotherapy alone, n=6; chemoradiotherapy, n=1). Postoperative complications were seen in 6 cases (27.2%), with screw loosening in 3 patients and screw fracture, plate infection and exposure in 1 patient each. The rate of complications was high at the medial side of the mandibular resection. Incidence of plate complications was higher for patients with sufficient occlusal force (Eichner classification: type B). Measures should be taken to avoid postoperative complications in patients with mandibular reconstruction using a mandibular reconstruction plate.
