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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
Comparison of Patient-Specific Plates and Pre-Bent Plates for Preserving Condylar Position in Mandible Reconstruction
Phuc H Le1,2, Hyounmin Kim3, Moo H Son3
1Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City.
Objectives:
To compare the efficacy of patient-specific 3-dimensional (3D)-printed plates (PSP) and pre-bent universal reconstruction plates (PBP) in preserving the 3D position of the mandibular condyle and total operation time during mandibular reconstruction with a fibula-free flap.
Materials And Methods:
This retrospective study included 18 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction using fibular free flaps. Both groups utilized virtual surgical planning (VSP) and 3D-printed surgical guides. Nine patients received PSP, and 9 received PBP. Postoperative and computed tomography (CT) scans were analyzed to assess 3D deviations of the mandibular condyles and operation times.
Results:
PSP demonstrated superior accuracy in medial-lateral condylar displacement (2.5 ± 1.42 versus 4.92 ± 2.42 mm, P = 0.02) and better angular accuracy in the coronal (1.46 ± 1.16 deg versus 5.45 ± 2.75 deg, P = 0.001) and transverse planes (3.55 ± 2.82 deg versus 8.99 ± 5.56 deg, P = 0.023). There was no significant difference in total operation time between PSP and PBP groups (487.7 ± 90.1 versus 547.3 ± 110.1 min, P = 0.226), despite all PSP patients having additional immediate implant placement and prosthesis delivery.
Conclusions:
PSP offers better condylar accuracy and allows immediate implant placement without increasing surgical time compared with PBP.
