Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a benign, invasive, odontogenic tumor of the jaws that predominantly affects the mandible. Despite the benign nature of these lesions, there is a high rate of local recurrence after curettage, which usually requires resection. The traditional surgical approach for resection of ameloblastomas, via either mandibulotomy or mandibulectomy, has been through lower lip-splitting incisions, which are associated with significant functional and esthetic sequelae. A case is presented here in which less invasive Risdon and intraoral degloving incisions were used in combination with temporary zygomatic-ramal fixation to maintain occlusion after resection of a large mandibular ameloblastoma. The bilateral Risdon approach provided wide access to the mandible, allowing an angle-to-angle resection to be performed. This approach also provided adequate exposure for an osteocutaneous fibula free flap reconstruction to be performed, with 100% flap survival. At 1 year of follow-up, there were minimal functional and esthetic defects. This approach represents a less invasive alternative that provides access to the mandible for curative resection of benign tumors with minimal postoperative sequelae.

View details for Web of Science ID 000225848500006

View details for PubMedID 14704555