RECONSTRUCTION OF MANDIBULAR CONTINUITY DEFECTS IN DOGS USING POLY (L-LACTIDE) MESH AND AUTOGENIC PARTICULATE CANCELLOUS BONE AND MARROW - PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Purpose: This study evaluated the reconstruction of continuity defects in the canine mandible using a poly [L-lactide] (PLLA) mesh tray and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM). ' Materials and Methods : Eight adult dogs were divided into two groups of four dogs each, In group A, each dog had a tray fixed with stainless steel wires on each side of the mandibular stumps with the concave surface of the tray att ached to the inferior border of the mandible (U-fixation). In group B, the concave surface was attached to the superior border (inverted U-f ixation), Each tray was filled with PCBM from the ilium, After the ope ration, the dogs were radiographed, and specimens were examined histol ogically at 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals, Results: All of group A sh owed good clinical healing and the continuity of the mandibular bone w as regained within 3 months postoperatively, However, fibrous tissue h ad invaded through the area above the tray, resulting in a poorly shap ed alveolar ridges, In group B, the dogs showed good bony regeneration with well-shaped alveolar ridges, However, two animals in this group had partial exposure of the PLLA mesh tray into the oral cavity, Concl usion: It is suggested that a combination of the PLLA mesh and PCBM gr afts might be a useful technique for functional reconstruction of the jaw bone, specifically using method A (U-fixation) as a technique to r econstruct continuity defects of the mandible, and method B (inverted, U-fixation) as a promising method for alveolar reconstruction to make wearing dentures possible.