Case report demonstrates successful reconstruction of facial injuries in a male following a bear attack, suggesting effective treatment methods.
Grizzly bear attacks are rare but often result in devastating craniofacial injuries requiring staged, multidisciplinary reconstruction. A 61‐year‐old male sustained extensive facial trauma, including complete lower lip avulsion and anterior mandibular loss, after a grizzly bear attack. He underwent early stabilization followed by virtual surgical planning–guided fibula free flap reconstruction with immediate dental implants, and a radial forearm free flap incorporating palmaris tendon to restore oral competence. The patient's postoperative course was uncomplicated and he was decannulated and discharged. At 6 months, he underwent vestibuloplasty and delayed dental prosthesis placement. Due to insufficient lip height, a custom magnetic lower lip prosthesis was fabricated to improve function and appearance. This case demonstrates a successful multidisciplinary approach to complex facial trauma, combining microvascular reconstruction, immediate dental rehabilitation, and prosthetic innovation to achieve functional and aesthetic recovery following a rare animal mauling.
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Beiriger et al. (2026) studied this question.
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