%0 Journal Article
%T Patient-specific 3D-printed mini-versus reconstruction plates for free flap fixation at the mandible: Retrospective study of clinical outcomes and complication rates.
%A Kreutzer K
%A Lampert P
%A Doll C
%A Voss JO
%A Koerdt S
%A Heiland M
%A Steffen C
%A Rendenbach C
%J J Craniomaxillofac Surg
%V 51
%N 10
%D 2023 Oct 6
%M 37852889
%F 3.192
%R 10.1016/j.jcms.2023.09.019
%X This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and complication rates of patient-specific 3D-printed mini- and reconstruction plates for free flap fixation in mandibular reconstruction. A retrospective monocentric study was carried out between April 2017 and December 2021 to analyze patients undergoing immediate mandibular reconstruction using fibula free flaps and osteosynthesis using patient-specific 3D-printed implants. Eighty-three patients with a mean age of 63.6 years were included. The mean follow-up period was 18.5 months. Patient-specific 3D-printed plates were designed as reconstruction plates (38 patients), miniplates (21 patients) or a combination of reconstruction- and miniplates (24 patients). With miniplates, plate removal was performed significantly more often via an intraoral approach (p < 0.001) and in an outpatient setting (p = 0.002). Univariate analysis showed a higher fistula rate with reconstruction plates (p = 0.037). Multivariate analysis showed no significant differences in complications. Case-control matching demonstrated significantly lower rates of fistula (p = 0.017) and non-union (p = 0.029) in the combined group. This retrospective study shows a tendency towards reduced complication rates with patient-specific 3D-printed miniplates in comparison to patient-specific 3D-printed reconstruction plates for immediate mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flaps.