Degloving Approach for the Management of Extensive Mandibular Osteomyelitis

Extensive osteomyelitis of the mandible is usually managed using elaborate procedures including resection and reconstruction of the affected part of the mandible. This brief clinical report, the authors present a case of 75-year old male with extensive osteomyelitis of the mandible, incidentally diagnosed with anemia of chronic disease and Type I diabetes mellitus and managed using an intraoral degloving approach exclusively. This has proved to be a procedure ensuring better blood supply, decreased morbidity, precluding an elaborate reconstruction procedure and an overall reduction in cost. The advantages, scientific basis, rationale and pitfalls have been discussed briefly.