Objective To discuss the use of condylar prostheses after mandibular resection
for tumor.
Design Case series and literature review.
Setting Tertiary referral center.
Patients Four patients underwent condylar reconstruction with metallic condylar
prostheses after hemimandibulectomy for either squamous cell cancer or Ewing
sarcoma.
Main Outcome Measure Complications related to the condylar prostheses.
Results Clinical and radiological follow-up in these patients revealed several
complications, including exposure or extrusion of the prosthesis and migration
of the prosthesis into the epitympanum, resulting in profound sensorineural
hearing loss owing to bony destruction of the cochlea. Two of our patients
required removal of the mandibular hardware because of the seriousness of
the complications, and 1 of the 2 underwent reconstruction of the condyle
with a fibular free flap.
Conclusions Metallic condylar prostheses in the setting of tumor resection and reconstruction
involve significant risks. Autogenous materials, such as vascularized bone
grafts, should be used whenever possible.
