Long-term results after mandibular continuity resection in infancy: the role of autogenous rib grafts for mandibular restoration.

Reconstruction of mandibular defects after tumor resection in infants is a particular challenge. Although autogenous rib grafts have no relevance nowadays for restoration of mandibular bone defects after ablative tumor surgery because of limited bone stock and the availability of other donor areas, they are a useful surgical alternative after tumor surgery in infants. We here report on a 6-month, 5-year, and 10-year follow-up of three children who were diagnosed with benign tumors of the mandible with osseous destruction at the ages of 4 months, 6 months, and 2 years, respectively. Histologic diagnoses were melanotic neuroectodermal tumor, hemangioendothelioma of the mandible, and ameloblastoma. After continuity resection of the mandible, latero-mandibular bone defects were restored using autogenous rib grafts. Both clinical and radiologic follow-up visits in all children were performed to assess growth of the facial skeleton as well as the mandibular growth. Cephalometric measurements on Panorex films and three-dimensional computed tomographic scans revealed slight vertical growth excess and transversal growth inhibition of the reconstructed mandible in comparison with the nonoperated side. Although further growth of rib grafts is difficult to predict and occlusal disharmony may occur because of physiologic maxillary growth and growth of the unaffected mandible, we think that autogenous rib grafts can be ideally used for restoration of mandibular continuity defects in newborns and young children. Clinical follow-up visits on a yearly basis and orthodontic controls are useful for early orthodontic treatment of growth deficits. Further corrective surgery with bone augmentation or osseous distraction is required after completion of growth of the facial skeleton.