CRANIAL BONE-GRAFT TO RECONSTRUCT THE MANDIBULAR CONDYLE IN MACACA-MULATTA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cra nial bone grafts to reconstruct the mandibular condyle in a nonhuman p rimate model. Materials and Methods: The right mandibular condyle was resected in eight female, adult, nongrowing monkeys (Macaca mulatta) a nd the mandible was reconstructed with autogenous, full-thickness cran ial bone harvested from the frontal area of the skull and stabilized w ith rigid fixation, Joint function, facial symmetry, and occlusion wer e evaluated preoperatively and over the course of 1 year postoperative ly, The height of the bone graft was measured intraoperatively and al 1 year postoperatively. Results, Seven monkeys survived for 1 year, Th e animals' weights were stable postoperatively, There were no statisti cally significant changes in maximal incisal opening or lateral excurs ion, as well as no statistically significant changes in facial symmetr y or occlusion, On average, the total decrease in height of the graft was 0.7 +/- 0.9 mm (P =.07). Conclusion: After reconstruction of the m andibular condyle in Macaca mulatta, full-thickness cranial bone graft s provided a functional joint that resisted resorption, Cranial bone m ay therefore provide a suitable alternative to other autologous or all oplastic graft materials for reconstruction of the human mandibular co ndyle in nongrowing patients.