Tissue Expander Followed by Autogenous Bone Graft Versus Autogenous Bone Graft Alone for Mandibular Reconstruction: Quantitative Assessment

Background: The use of a tissue expander in maxillofacial intraoral tissue reconstruction is a developing approach, which provide adequate tissue coverage and aesthetics. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively compare the use of a soft tissue expander in conjunction with autogenous bone graft with bone graft alone for the repair of the mandible's anterior region. Methods: The study comprised 24 patients with bone defects in the anterior mandibular region. Patients were divided into 2 groups at random. In group I, expander with bone graft was used, whereas in group II, bone graft was used alone. Volumetric measures of the grafted area was performed using CBCT, and cephalometric evaluations of the anteroposterior and vertical skeletal relationship, as well as the soft tissue profile were recoded. A comparison was made between the 2 groups 6 and 24 months after surgery with P ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean difference in grafted bone volume between the 2 groups was 1.95 cm3, indicating a significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.05) with superior group I results. The soft tissue profile of group I demonstrated a considerable improvement and stability of the lower lip, the labiomental sulcus, and the thickness of the soft tissue Pogonion compared with group II. Conclusion: The use of a tissue expander in conjunction with a bone graft resulted in a better soft tissue profile, making it a favored approach in maxillofacial reconstruction.