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Updated: Feb 26, 2026
A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
Condyle Head Reimplantation Combined With Vascularized Free Flap for Mandibular Reconstruction
Jun-Yi Zhu1, Hai-Xiao Zou, Hui-Min Li
1*The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Wuhan University†Department of Oral Maxillofacial and Head Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Abstract:
Due to the anatomic and functional complexity, reconstruction of the condylar process after mandibular tumor extirpation remains a surgical challenge. The aim of this study was to present the results and experience of condyle head reimplantation combined with vascularized free flap for mandibular reconstruction in our institution. In the current study, the authors evaluated the clinical features of condyle head reimplantation combined with vascularized free flap for mandibular reconstruction in 5 patients with benign mandibular intraosseous lesions from December 2013 to March 2015 in our institution. All patients showed nearly normal mouth opening, with minimal mandibular deviation and joint symptoms. The radiograph data showed that 4 patients had no obvious bone resorption of condyles while only 1 patient had prominent condyle resorption. All the condyles were cut above the condylar neck, with the biggest remaining condyle height being 2.8 cm and the smallest one being 1.1 cm. Moreover, the original vertical height of mandibular ramus was decreased by 2 to 3 mm during the surgery. In conclusion, this study revealed that combining the condyle reimplantation with vascularized free flap constitutes a reliable method in condylar reconstruction and a slight reduction of the vertical height of condyles may help to diminish unfavorable outcomes.
