Groundbreaking Rib Graft Surgery Rebuilds Jaw After Rare Tumor Removal

A patient with a rare Pindborg tumor in the right mandibular ramus has undergone successful surgery at Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University. The tumor, a benign growth from dental tissues, had extensively damaged the jaw, leaving little supporting bone for standard reconstruction methods. The Pindborg tumor had affected the entire ramus and part of the mandibular body. Only a small fragment near the condylar head remained intact. Due to insufficient bone in the condylar region, a standard titanium implant was not an option.

Surgeons adopted a biological approach, using an autograft from the patient’s own rib for reconstruction. Thoracic surgeon Artyom Khmara harvested the full-thickness rib, while maxillofacial surgeons Galia Bakhteyeva and Daniil Kuznetsov positioned and secured it. This method ruled out the usual shaved rib grafting technique. The surgery restored the patient’s mandibular integrity and facial profile. It also created a stable anatomical base for future dental prosthetics. The procedure marks a significant step in addressing complex jaw reconstructions caused by rare odontogenic tumors.