Use of Kirschner wire in mandible reconstruction: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Reconstruction of massive defects in head the and neck usually requires different tissues such as skin, bone, and muscle in three-dimensional organization. Therefore, reconstruction of mandibular defects in particular include many difficulties for the head and neck, and for reconstructive surgeons. Various techniques and materials are available, and each has some advantages and disadvantages. But no materials or methods have all the reconstructive requirements. The surgeon's choice of techniques should be safe, simple, economic, and effective. We present a patient with a massive facial defect that was reconstructed successfully by using a 2-mm K wire with a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, and we also review the literature about the use of K wires in mandible fixation and reconstruction. We think that K wires should be kept in mind as a readily available, easily applicable, safe, inexpensive, and stable prosthetic material for mandible reconstruction, especially in cases with advanced disease.