Virtual Surgical Planning for Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Valuable Application in Advanced Cases

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of extended use of bisphosphonates. fibula free flaps (FFFs) are the gold standard of mandibular reconstruction. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is a technique that utilizes high-definition three-dimensional reconstructions that enable the production of highly accurate intra-operative surgical guides and templates that help guide osteotomies and fibula contouring.  The aim of this report is to highlight the value of VSP in the surgical management of advanced BRONJ. We report a case study of a woman with advanced BRONJ that required an angle-to-angle mandibular resection with subsequent reconstruction with an FFF. VSP was used to improve the accuracy of the reconstruction and minimize ischemia time. We present the first reported case of the successful implementation of VSP for the planning of FFF reconstruction for a woman with advanced symptomatic BRONJ that had failed conservative measures.