Biomechanical effects of screw fixation in second mandibular reconstruction plate

The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical effects of second reconstruction plate with different combinations of fixed screws in patient with mandibular tumor resection by three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). The FEA models were consisted of defected mandible, reconstruction plate with different screw holes, and bone screws. The results indicated that application of the second reconstruction plate appeared to increase stability and decrease stress magnitude on the plates and screws accompanying with increasing screw number. For clinical cost consideration in usage of the second reconstruction plate, the conclusion showed that the second reconstruction plate could offer a better mechanical efficacy accompanying with increase of screw quantity, but single screw applied for the second plate fixation to defected mandible of tumor resection was enough to stabilize without increase of screw quantities.