Background: Reconstruction of continuity defects following osteonecrosis in multimorbid patients is challenging. In all cases of the predescribed palliative treatment method for alloplastic mandible reconstruction, plate fractures were detected in follow-up. We hypothesized that a modification could avoid these fractures, leading to stable long-term results.
Methods: This retrospective study compares the original method with a modification using single, laser-sintered CAD-CAM plates instead of manually bent miniplates. The predescribed shuttering technique was used to reconstruct the mandible in its original shape with bone cement.
Results: Uneventful wound healing was observed in 86% of the cases after modification of the method. No implant or plate fracture occurred.
Conclusions: The presented method should be considered as a treatment option for mandible reconstruction in elderly, multimorbid patients in palliative situations. The results of this study suggest that the modification of the method leads to significantly improved long-term stability. Donor site morbidity is avoided with this method of palliative surgery.
Keywords: ARONJ; MRONJ; Palacos® reconstruction; alloplastic reconstruction; mandible reconstruction; medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.
© 2023 The Authors. Head & Neck published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.