Autologous Ilium Grafts: Long-Term Results on Immediate or Staged Functional Rehabilitation of Mandibular Segmental Defects Using Dental Implants after Tumor Resection

Abstract

Background: It is a challenge for clinicians to restore oral function in patients with segmental defects of the mandible because of tumor extirpation. Dental implant therapy following vascularized autologous ilium grafts is an effective method to restore oral function in patients with mandibular segmental defects. Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of ilium grafts combined with immediate or staged mandibular dental implant therapy to restore craniofacial defects resulting from tumor resection. Materials and Methods: Over a 5-year period (2000-2004), 32 patients who underwent mandibular segmental resection for tumors were treated with vascularized ilium grafts to augment bone volume. Seventeen patients received phase I therapy (immediate placement of implants), and 15 patients underwent phase II therapy (delayed placement of implants). A total of 110 dental implants were placed in these patients for mandibular restoration of the defective areas. Information regarding implant success and survival rates, marginal bone loss, soft tissue inflammation, complications of prosthesis, and patient satisfaction for the 8 to 12 years following oral reconstruction was obtained from patient records. Results: Although there was mild evidence of bone graft resorption, the vascularized autogenous ilium bone grafts were successful in all patients. The cumulative patient survival and success rate of the implants were 96.4% and 91.8%, respectively. The mean peri-implant bone resorption ranged from 1.0 to 1.2mm over the 8- to 12-year follow-up period. The annual mean number of complications/repairs was from 0.11 to 0.07 per patient during the 8- to 12-year follow-up. Over 80% of the patients were fully satisfied with their restoration of oral function. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that reconstruction of mandibular segmental defects because of resection of mandibular tumors using dental implants therapy combined with vascularized autogenous ilium grafts is an effective method to restore oral function.