Secondary Mandibular Reconstruction with Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Implant

Excerpt

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancer in India. Every year 77,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths are reported [1]. 70% of them present in the advanced stages [2]. Surgery in resectable locally advanced oral cancer often includes segmental/hemi mandibulectomy. Primary osseous reconstruction is definitely the preferred option but in majority of circumstances in India due to lack of resources and/or lack of adequate skill or patient having certain comorbidities, the defects are closed with only soft tissue flaps. These patients over the time develop deviation of residual mandible causing malalignment and occlusal disturbances leading to repeated traumatic ulcers which might cause another malignancy. Mandibular reconstruction at a later stage, i.e., secondary settings, although challenging, should be considered in such situations. With advancement in three-dimensional (3D) imaging software and alloplastic technology a complete prosthetic mandibular replacement can also be done. We share our experience around this with the case discussed. …