A case of hybrid nerve repair using a conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration and the great auricular nerve for immediate reconstruction of the inferior alveolar nerve following resection of an ameloblastoma

In the oral and maxillofacial region, extensive mandibular tumor resection may require the resection of the inferior alveolar nerve.In such cases, autologous nerve grafts from sources like the great auricular nerve and peroneal nerve have been used for reconstruction.Recently, the technique of nerve repair employing regeneration induction tubes has been utilized for shorter nerve defects.The choice between autologous nerve grafts and regeneration tubes remains debated, considering factors such as defect distance and nerve diameter.This study presents a case using a nerve regeneration induction tube and the great auricular nerve to repair an extensive inferior alveolar nerve defect following jaw tumor resection, resulting in remarkable sensory recovery within the inferior alveolar nerve area.A 39 -year-old male diagnosed with desmoplastic ameloblastoma from the right side mandibular first premolar to the anterior margin of the mandibular branch, underwent a mandibulectomy and iliac bone block grafting in July 2020.Nerve repair was performed using a regeneration induction tube on the central side, bridged by the great auricular nerve on the peripheral side.Two years post-surgery, no tumor recurrence was observed, and the patient exhibited self-recognizable sensory perception in the inferior alveolar nerve area, indicating a favorable result in tactile function based on precise testing.