In mandibular reconstruction with bone grafts, the functional and aesthetic outcomes are clearly influenced by reconstructive techniques. Vascularized free fibular flaps are considered the most suitable choice for mandible reconstruction because of their good aesthetic and functional outcomes. Several techniques have been described in literature. According to various authors, shaping of the fibular graft can be performed by means of computer-aided design/computer-aided modeling procedures for the evaluation of the presurgery anatomy and three-dimensional models of fibula graft. However, these models are expensive, require a strict realization of the programmed intervention, and are not easily adaptable to a surgical treatment different from the planned one. We report our experience on a technique for mandibular reconstruction using a free fibular flap, obtained by modeling a template on the resected mandible. Our operative technique consists of 5 steps: preplating, resection, template modeling, contouring of the fibula, and fixing the flap on the mandible.Template modeling is performed to record the length of the resected bone, the mandibular curvature on the 3 space planes, and the width of the basal bone. On the basis of the template, the fibula flap was modeled while still attached to the pedicle. The plates, positioned at the level of the fibular osteotomies, were preformed to make the fibula precisely fit in the template. Once the fibula was shaped, mandibular reconstruction was completed by positioning the fibula graft on the mandibular stumps. Bone graft modeling by means of template is a rapid, safe, and flexible method to reconstruct the mandible.

A rare case of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) located in the mandibular condyle in a 10-year-old boy is presented. The patient came to our attention for a sudden swelling in the right temporomandibular region, the mouth opening was not reduced.

The treatment of patients with atrophic ridge who need prosthetic rehabilitation is a common problem in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Among the various techniques introduced for the expansion of alveolar ridges with a horizontal bone deficit is the alveolar ridge split technique. The aim of this article is to give a description of some new tips that have been specifically designed for the treatment of atrophic ridges with transversal bone deficit. A two-step piezosurgical split technique is also described, based on specific osteotomies of the vestibular cortex and the use of a mandibular ramus graft as interpositional graft. A total of 15 patients were treated with the proposed new tips by our department. All the expanded areas were successful in providing an adequate width and height to insert implants according to the prosthetic plan and the proposed tips allowed obtaining the most from the alveolar ridge split technique and piezosurgery. These tips have made alveolar ridge split technique simple, safe, and effective for the treatment of horizontal and vertical bone defects. Furthermore the proposed piezosurgical split technique allows obtaining horizontal and vertical bone augmentation.