Iliac crest flap for mandibular reconstruction after advanced stage mandibular ameloblastoma resection

ABSTRACT: Ablative surgeries for neoplastic processes of the oral cavity, traumas, infections/inflammations, osteoradionecrosis, and congenital deformities are the most common causes of large mandibular defects. Ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive tumor that, if not treated, can gain an enormous size and cause severe facial disfigurement and functional impairment. Although the smaller lesions of ameloblastoma in the mandible are treated by conservative approaches such as marsupialization, enucleation, and curettage combined with liquid nitrogen spray cryosurgery, larger lesions require radical surgical ablation procedures resulting in large tissue defects. A large mandibular defect has deleterious effects on a person's life, with a significant loss in the quality of life unless it is reconstructed successfully. The aim of present case series report is to show the results of the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with advanced stage ameloblastoma, including tumor resection, simultaneous reconstruction with iliac crest flap, followed by placement of endosseous dental implants, and finally the prosthodontic rehabilitation.