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
