Antegrade submental artery osteomyocutaneous flap for the repair of maxillary alveolar process defects combined with personalized 3D-printed PEEK material for restoration of mandibular inferior border defects.

This study aimed to investigate the advantages, limitations, and potential complications associated with the antegrade submental artery osteomyocutaneous flap (ASAOF) for reconstructing maxillary alveolar process defects, in combination with personalized 3D-printed polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material for repairing bone defects at the inferior border of the mandible. A retrospective analysis was performed on eight patients who underwent ASAOF for the repair of maxillary soft and hard tissue defects between August 2022 and November 2024 at a single institution. Clinical data, including medical history, defect site, osteomyocutaneous flap survival, operative duration, length of hospitalization, and postoperative recovery of oral function, were evaluated. Eight patients underwent ASAOF reconstruction for maxillary alveolar defects. The mean operative duration was 335.6 min (range: 300-440 min), whilst the average hospitalization period was 13.4 days (range: 8-17 days). No recurrence, necrosis of the osteomyocutaneous flap, rejection or exposure of the PEEK material, or complications such as lower lip numbness and facial paralysis were observed. Two patients underwent maxillary implant placement combined with fixed denture restoration, with satisfactory aesthetic and functional recovery. The ASAOF is a reliable technique for repairing maxillary alveolar process defects. The personalized 3D-printed PEEK material exhibits no rejection and effectively repairs bone defects at the inferior margin of the mandible.