[Current possibilities of reconstruction of the lower jaw in bony defects following tumor resection. Animal experiments and clinical results].

The animal experimental methods as well as the clinical application in patients and histological results of a new reconstruction plate for use in bridging defects in the lower jaw are discussed. The principles of fixation of the plate with hollow titanium powder sprayed screws and a titanium mesh for stabilising the autologous cancellous bone are also given. Resection was carried out in irradiated and non-irradiated mandibles of dogs. The direct contact between the surface of the screw and the bone as well as proliferation of bone into the hollow screw are demonstrated by light and scanning electron microscope studies. New methods for the evaluation of the interface between implant and bone are described.