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Updated: Jul 25, 2025
A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
Long-Term Follow-Up of a Novel Surgical Option Combining Fibula Free Flap and 3D-Bioprinted, Patient-Specific
Bo-Yeon Hwang1, Kwantae Noh2, Jung-Woo Lee3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
As the fibula free flap became the gold standard in mandibular reconstruction that required both hard tissue and soft tissue, various methods have been sought to solve the height discrepancy between the mandible and fibula. The purpose of this paper was to propose a surgical option that combined the microvascular fibula free flap with a 3D-bioprinted, patient-specific polycaprolactone (PCL) implant as a safe and simple novel method that achieved the best functional and aesthetic results in mandibular reconstruction surgery for young patients with malignant tumors. The patient's reconstructed mandible maintained volume symmetry without any deformation or complications for over 6 years. Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and 3D printing technology enabled accurate and safe surgical results.
