Mandibular Fracture in a Hemifacial Microsomia Patient following Implant Failure and Hardware Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a complex congenital condition with heterogeneous malformations of the facial skeleton that almost always involves mandibular hypoplasia. Here we introduce a unique case in which a patient with HFM had initially successful optimization of facial symmetry using a polyetheretherketone implant for mandibular augmentation. However, multiple factors associated with the intraoperative and postoperative course, including hardware failure and infection, led to diminished mechanical strength of the mandible, ultimately resulting in a mandibular fracture. In this unique case presentation of HFM, we discuss the various factors that contributed to mandibular weakness and increased susceptibility to fracture.

Keywords

• hemifacial microsomia
• polyetheretherketone implant
• mandibular fracture
• mechanical strength
• biomechanics