Mandibular Body Resection and Setback for Severe Malocclusion in Lymphatic Malformations

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Plastic Surgery
• Congenital Malformations

Background:

• Extensive lymphangiomas of the facial skeleton can cause significant deforming forces.
• These forces lead to functional impairments such as masticatory, speech, oral hygiene, and airway problems.
• Severe mandibular overgrowth is a notable consequence of these lymphatic malformations.

Observation:

• This study presents a small series of pediatric patients with severe mandibular overgrowth due to lymphatic malformations.
• Patients underwent initial debulking of malformations and tongue reductions.
• The primary treatment involved bilateral mandibular body resections and setback.

Findings:

• Orthognathic surgery, specifically bilateral mandibular body resection and setback, effectively addressed severe functional impairment in children.
• The procedure resulted in improved occlusion and oral closure.
• Significant improvement in airway opening was also observed post-surgery.

Implications:

• Early surgical intervention with orthognathic procedures can correct severe functional deficits caused by congenital facial malformations.
• This approach offers a viable solution for improving quality of life in affected children.
• The findings support the use of complex surgical techniques in pediatric patients with extensive facial lymphatic malformations.