Costochondral Rib Grafts in Mandibular Reconstruction

摘要

The main role of costochondral rib grafts in mandibular reconstruction is in temporoman-dibular joint (TMJ) arthroplasty. Autologous rib grafting in craniofacial surgery dates back to the early twentieth century; however, Poswillo [1] was the first surgeon to truly establish the physiologic compatibility of costochondral grafting for the TMJ [2]. Although other autogenous donor sites, such as the sternoclavicular and metacarpal joints, have been used, the costochondral graft is the autogenous reconstruction material of choice for TMJ arthroplasty in the pe-diatric population. The costochondral rib graft is adaptable to the TMJ not only because of its native size and dimensions but also because its hyaline cartilaginous cap (as opposed to flbrocartilage) can withstand the biomechanical stresses of the TMJ and act as a new growth center. This article highlights the harvesting technique for costochondral rib grafting in tempo-romandibular reconstruction.