Reconstruction of critical-size jaw defects still remains challenging. The standard treatment today is transplantation of autologous bone grafts, which is associated with high donor-site morbidity and unsatisfactory outcomes. We aimed to reconstruct a mandibular discontinuity defect after ablative surgery using the gastrocolic omentum as a bioreactor for heterotopic ossification. Three-dimensional computed tomography data were used to produce an ideal virtual replacement for the mandibular defect. A titanium mesh cage was filled with bone mineral blocks, infiltrated with 12 mg of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2, and enriched with bone marrow aspirate. The scaffold was implanted into the gastrocolic omentum, and 3 months later, a free flap was harvested to reconstruct the mandibular defect. In vivo single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography revealed bone remodeling and mineralization inside the mandibular transplant during prefabrication and after transplantation. Reconstruction was possible without any further modifications of the graft. A histological evaluation revealed that large sections of the Bio-Oss material were covered with osteoid matrix 3 months after transplantation. The quality of life of the patient significantly increased with acquisition of the ability to masticate and the improvement in pronunciation and aesthetics. Heterotopic bone induction to form a mandibular replacement inside the gastrocolic omentum is possible in human subjects. Heterotopic prefabrication is associated with many advantages, like allowing a reduced operative burden compared with conventional techniques and good three-dimensional outcomes.

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No data exist concerning the appication of a new robotic system with 3 mm instruments (Senhance®, Transenterix) in infants and small children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the system for its feasibility, performance and safety of robotic pediatric abdominal and thoracic surgery in piglets simulating infants with a body weight lower than 10 kg. 34 procedures (from explorative laparoscopy to thoracoscopic esophageal repair) were performed in 12 piglets with a median age of 23 (interquartile range: 12–28) days and a median body weight of 6.9 (6.1–7.3) kg. The Senhance® robotic system was used with 3 mm instruments, a 10 mm 3D 0° or 30° videoscope and advanced energy devices, the setup consisted of the master console and three separate arms. The amount, size, and position of the applied ports, their distance as well as the distance between the three operator arms of the robot, external and internal collisions, and complications of the procedures were recorded and analyzed. We were able to perform all planned surgical procedures with 3 mm robotic instruments in piglets with a median body weight of less than 7 kg. We encountered two non-robot associated complications (bleeding from the inferior caval and hepatic vein) which led to termination of the live procedures. Technical limitations were the reaction time and speed of robotic camera movement with eye tracking, the excessive bending of the 3 mm instruments and intermittent need of re-calibration of the fulcrum point. Robotic newborn and infant surgery appears technically feasible with the Senhance® system. Software adjustments for camera movement and sensitivity of the fulcrum point calibration algorithm to adjust for the increased compliance of the abdominal wall of infants, therefore reducing the bending of the instruments, need to be implemented by the manufacturer as a result of our study. To further evaluate the Senhance® system, prospective trials comparing it to open, laparoscopic and other robotic systems are needed.

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Considering the high-resolution images delivered by CBCT along with minimized artefacts in the mandible it provides an alternative imaging technique, which could be combined and accomplished with another soft-tissue imaging modality like MRI to obtain optimal hard and soft-tissue visualisation in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.