[Excision of ameloblastoma and reconstruction using a mandibular autologous graft]

Three patients with mandibular ameloblastomas were treated by hemimandibulectomy followed by immediate reconstruction by a single-block mandibular homograft prepared at a distance from the operating field and taken from the bone section removed after visual and radiologic control of total tumoral separation. This procedure is simpler and more economic, rapid and reliable that conventional reconstruction using rib or iliac homografts. It is indicated for those limited cases of ameloblastoma or benign bone tumors which, even though possessing similar prognoses by their site (coronal...) or their tendency for recurrence and thus requiring interruptive resection, are sufficiently small to ensure total tumor excision and the recovery of a sufficiently thick bone piece for an ideal homograft. The procedure is of particular interest in the elderly and/or debilitated patients, and may be useful after abusive hemimandibulectomy.