The caudal mandibular reconstruction plate: a radiographic and histologic study of an autopsy specimen.

During autopsy, a reconstructed partial mandibular resection was recovered and subjected to histological examination. The mandible had been reconstructed 12 weeks earlier with a caudal plate and autologous cancellous bone from the iliac crest. Undecalcified microsections showed that the plate was firmly anchored by screws on both sides and on one side there was bony union. However, most of the free transplant bone had undergone 'unreplaced resorption.' Nevertheless, this method offers advantages over the conventional method of seating the plate on the buccal aspect and has interesting potential for further development.