Bone Graft

This man had a destructive but benign tumor of his right lower jaw. The segment to be removed was fairly large, but he would not require radiation treatment as would be needed with a cancer. This made the use of free bone graft possible.

This is an Xray showing the destruction of his jaw.

Here the pelvis is exposed for harvesting of bone graft.

This is the bone material stored in a moist towel.

The bone is packed into a metal crib which will provide shape and support while it heals. Because the graft is placed in a bed of muscle rich in blood supply, it has a good chance of "taking."

This is the patient's healed appearance. He has good symmetry.

2/21/00

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