The Viability of an Internal Splint for a Patient Suffering from Osteoradionecrosis

Abstract

A variety of techniques can be used to reconstruct the mandible. These techniques may or may not be affective as to produce osseo-integration depending on the severity of the case. A technique that uses a titanium internal splint to reconstruct the mandible for an osteoradionecrosis patient is presented. A titanium bar is made with a sharp point to interlock into the condyler bone and a titanium cap is laser welded to the bar and fitted into the existing bone segment. This does not require screws, cement or adhesive as they may fracture the bone. Thus the splint prevents the face from collapsing to the area of the bone removed by stabilizing the bone segments and restores masticatory functions.