Fracture of mandibular reconstruction plates used after tumor resection

Abstract

Purpose: We assessed the incidence of fractured plates after primary temporary AO plate reconstruction of the mandible following tumor resection.

Patients and methods: One hundred ten patients were retrospectively evaluated according to the extent of the tumor, anatomic location of the reconstruction, type of plate, additional use of radiotherapy or flap surgery (or both), and the incidence of fractured plates.

Results: Fractured plates occurred in 8 of 110 patients. Most occurred less than 6 months after surgery. All of the 8 patients had a malignant tumor; 2 had received radiation therapy and 4 had skin flaps placed. The fractured plate was the straight type in 1 patient and the angular type in 7 patients. Among patients who had fractured plates, the average number of remaining teeth was 12.8 in the maxilla and 9.5 in the mandible.

Conclusions: Fractured plates were more common among patients with oral cancer with a segmental defect that did not cross the midline in whom an angular-type plate was used and no bone grafting was performed.