Abstract
Objective: The safe and reliable reconstruction of composite mandibulectomy defects is a topic of significant interest. Unfortunately, a well-established small-animal model of the segmental composite mandibulectomy does not exist. We describe a reliable animal model that can be utilized to study mandibular reconstruction techniques, including atuogenous bone grafts and biomaterials.
Method: Prospective analysis of survival-operations in the rat model (4-month Sprague Dawley Rattusnorvegicus). A detailed, stepwise description of surgical technique and relevant intraoperative anatomy is presented, utilizing photographic and radiographic images. Postoperative management, early pitfalls, surgical complications and future applications are discussed.
Results: A total of 72 operations were performed by a single individual between July and October 2010. Two intraoperative and seven postoperative complications were recognized. There were 4 orocutaneous fistulas, 1 abscess, and 1 seroma. There were 3 fatalities; deaths were attributed to anesthetic complications (2, intraoperative) and foreign-body aspiration (1, postoperative).
Conclusion: The novel animal model described here, reliably replicates the en-bloc segmental mandibular defects seen in our patient population. It can be manipulated to achieve a wide variety of research objectives, including the evaluation of biomaterials and tissue engineering techniques.
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