Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy involving the mandible: 7-year follow-up after hemimandibulectomy and costochondral graft reconstruction

Oral and maxillofacial tumors occur rarely in the pediatric population comp ared with the adult population. We report a case of a 6-months old female i nfant suffering from a melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy involving the mandible, Tumor resection was performed using a submandibular approach ; the mandibular defect was reconstructed primarily with autogenous costoch ondral grafts. During a 7-year follow-up period, there has been no tumor re currence. The costochondral graft healed well; tracing of panoramic radiogr aphs at 2, 3, and 6 years documented some vertical overgrowth and growth re tardation in the transversal dimension. The authors conclude that the use o f costochondral grafts despite its controversial role for mandibular recons truction can be recommended in particular after continuity resections in ne wborn infants. However, long-term follow-up is necessary as well as seconda ry corrective surgery at early skeletal maturity.