Objective: This paper presents a new method of skeleton reconstruction for oblique facial clefts using autogenous bone of the mandibular outer table.
Methods: In the operation, the mandibular outer table was harvested through the intraoral approach. Assisted with internal rigid fixation technique, the mandibular outer table was used to reconstruct the naso-orbital framework as inlay or onlay bone graft.
Results: From 1993 to 2001, seven cases of oblique facial clefts were repaired with mandibular outer table bone graft. Postoperative follow-up for 6 months to 3 years demonstrated that the grafted bone healed well with the adjacent bones. No obvious bone resorption was observed. The facial appearance was improved greatly.
Conclusions: The mandibular outer table, with similar bone density to the calvarium, is easy to harvest without donor site scar. The method is quite ideal for skeleton reconstruction of oblique facial clefts.