TOLERANCE TO STAINLESS STEEL PROSTHESES IN PATIENTS AFTER POSTRADIATION HEMIMANDIBULECTOMY

Twenty-one patients with partial mandibular resection preceded by a tumor dose of 5,000 to 6,000 rads are reviewed. In each instance, a stainless steel prosthesis was implanted in the tissues to stabilize the remaining mandible. Although 38 per cent of the protheses required removal in one to three months, all of the pins remained in place long enough to accomplish their function of improving the position and function of the remaining bone. It is concluded that preoperative irradiation is not a contraindication to this technic. © 1969.