Primary reconstruction of the mandible with a wire mesh prosthesis

A stainless steel wire mesh prosthesis was used as a primary mandibular replacement in 102 patients following resection of malignant neoplasms arising in the head and neck. In 67 patients the prosthesis was considered successful. Failure of the host to tolerate the prostheses was associated with history of previous irradiation, extensive resections, and the loss of distant skin flaps used for coverage of the prosthesis. But the prosthesis is tolerated by the host in 90% of the cases if it is inserted in a non-irradiated bed, covered with local tissues, and the resection is limited to the maxillo-oral complex only.