[Radiotherapy for immediate reconstruction of mandibular defects with the titanium plate after tumor resection of mandible].

Objective: To study the influence of radiotherapy on immediate reconstruction with the titanium plate after resection of mandible in oral cancer patients.

Methods: Fifty-eight cases (radiation group, 30 patients and control group, 28 patients) with titanium plate for immediate reconstruction of mandibular defects were observed from January, 1997 to May, 2002. The patients of radiation group underwent radiotherapy with total doses of 4,050 - 6,540 cGy (mean 5,495 cGy). The titanium plate was in radiation fields and was irradiated during the radiation therapy.

Results: Local infection and fistula accounted for 6 cases and plate exposure accounted for 5 in radiation group. Local infection and plate exposure happened in 4 and 3 patients in control group respectively. Titanium plates were taken in six cases in radiation group and 4 cases in control group by re-surgery 4 - 15 months after primary surgery because of local infection. The success rates of immediate reconstruction with the titanium plate were 80.0% (24/30) in radiation group and 85.7% (24/28) in control group (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: The cases of immediate reconstruction with the titanium plate after resection of mandible in oral cancer patients can accept postoperative radiotherapy.