Stable vertical distraction osteogenesis of highly atrophic mandibles after ablative tumour surgery of the oral cavity – a salvage pathway for mandibular reconstruction prior to oral rehabilitation with dental implants

Summary Mandibular reconstruction is still a challenge for surgeons. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) might contribute in certain instances to solve this problem. A principal advantage of DO is the expansion of the surrounding soft tissues that accompanies the bony regeneration. In addition there is no donor site morbidity when compared with reconstruction by autologous bone grafting. However its application may be limited by the thinness of the mandible and the attendant fracture risk. This article describes a technique that combines stable internal fixation with vertical distraction of the alveolar ridge in six patients with critical mandibular thickness after ablative surgery for cancer of the oral cavity. Prior to implant insertion for further prosthodontic restoration stable vertical mandibular distraction produced an additional 11–20 mm. Improvement of the surrounding soft tissues, especially intraorally was achieved and dental implants were inserted after bony consolidation. This method can be a useful salvage technique for the augmentation of the atrophic mandible in patients who are not able or willing to undergo the risks and disadvantages of established methods such as free autologous bone transfer or microsurgical techniques.