The use of ultrasonic bone scalpel during treatment for ameloblastoma of the mandible

Abstract

Enucleation and curettage are used to treat ameloblastoma. Generally, a rotary bar is used for curettage of bone. Therefore, performing curettage near the mandibular canal may injury the inferior alveolar nerve. Ultrasonic bone scalpels have been developed for neurosurgery and spinal surgery. These can selectively remove bone and prevent injuring important structures in soft tissues such as nerves and vessels, and enable minimally invasive surgery. In this report, we used an ultrasonic bone scalpel in the treatment of ameloblastoma of the mandible.
A 44-year-old female with right mandibular mass was referred to our department. We diagnosed the mass as ameloblastoma of the right mandible. The patient underwent enucleation and curettage with an ultrasonic bone scalpel under general anesthesia. She has been followed clinically and radiographically for 1 year with no signs of recurrence. An ultrasonic bone scalpel is considered a safe device in the treatment of ameloblastoma of the mandible.