ADVANTAGES OF MANDIBULAR RECONSTRUCTION WITH THE TITANIUM HOLLOW SCREW OSSEOINTEGRATING RECONSTRUCTION PLATE (THORP)

Alloplastic reconstruction following segmental mandibulectomy is a sim ple way to maintain mandibular segmental relationships, partially pres erving form and function for many patients. This study is a retrospect ive review of 40 patients who had mandibular reconstruction with metal plates over a 6-year period (April 1986 through August 1992). The res ults of reconstruction with titanium hollow-screw osseointegrating rec onstruction plates (THORP [n = 12]) and solid screw (SS) steel. and ti tanium plates (n = 28) are compared. One THORP has been removed as com pared to 14 SS plates. While the improved results with THORP may be at tributable in part to its advanced design, the success of soft-tissue reconstruction and tumor extirpation are important factors in the earl y outcome seen in this series. Longer follow-up is needed to determine if THORP can serve as a permanent implant. THORP is the authors' meth od of choice for alloplastic mandibular reconstruction.