NEW TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION: FIRST RECONSTRUCTIVE JAW SURGERY USING THE “ONCOCONSTRUCTOR” PERFORMED AT NMRRC

The first reconstructive surgery using a new jaw fragment replacement technology was successfully performed at the Department of Head and Neck Tumors and Microsurgery of the P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute – branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. The restoration of the lower jaw with bone grafts using the “oncoconstructor” allows surgeons to use pre-made resection templates instead of expensive 3D models created through bioprinting.

“This reusable kit includes a large number of components in different sizes, allowing us to assemble a model adapted to each patient. It greatly simplifies our work in restoring lost bone structures. However, this constructor is only applicable in cases where the tumor affects exclusively the lower jawbone. If the tumor spreads to adjacent soft tissues or organs, unfortunately, this method is not suitable,” explains Dr. Alexander Mordovsky, Senior Researcher at the Head and Neck Microsurgery Department.

The operation is performed by two leading surgeons, an assistant, an anesthesiologist, and a surgical nurse – a well-coordinated team with one of the most extensive experiences in reconstructive surgical treatment of head and neck tumors in the country. This new technique will benefit patients who, for various reasons, are unable to use 3D printing technology.

Sixty-seven-year-old Moscow resident Sergey Shlygin became the first patient to undergo autotransplantation of a fibula fragment to replace the removed section of his lower jaw using the new method.

A year ago, he had a tooth extracted, but the wound failed to heal for a long time. A maxillofacial surgeon, who exercised oncological vigilance, referred him to an oncology clinic. A biopsy and histological examination of the affected tissue led to a precise diagnosis – keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. Doctors offered two treatment options: surgery or chemoradiotherapy. Sergey sought a second opinion at the P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute. After further examination, an oncology board developed a treatment plan, recommending surgical intervention with immediate reconstruction of the lower jaw using a fibula fragment.

“The surgery went well,” comments Dr. Irina Novikova, PhD, Senior Researcher at the Microsurgery Department. “We quickly mastered the ‘oncoconstructor,’ developed by our German colleagues, and performed both the surgical and reconstructive procedures successfully. This process required slightly more time and physical effort, but from a technical and economic standpoint, it is significantly simpler and more efficient.”