EXPERIENCE WITH AO RECONSTRUCTION PLATES AFTER PARTIAL MANDIBULAR RESECTION INVOLVING ITS CONTINUITY

A report is presented on experience with the use of 54 plates, without primary bone grafts, after resections for malignant tumours involving the continuity of the mandible, in 52 patients. - There were complications in 27 cases: postoperative infection or soft tissue dehiscence occurred 20 times, chronic soft tissue perforation once, screw loosening twice, and plate fracture four times. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy had no effect on the incidence of the complications. - Seventeen of the plates (a good 30%) had to be removed prematurely due to the complications. Major deformity did not always occur if relative stabilization had developed through cicatrix formation. Thirtyseven plates (barely 70%) remained: in 19 cases until the death of the patient, in 3 cases until recurrence, in 12 cases until bone grafting, and in 3 cases they were still in situ up to 65 months. - In principle, reconstruction plates have proven themselves. However, application and soft tissue coverage need great care and a great deal of experience.