Method and apparatus for mandibular osteosynthesis

Abstract

A system for mandibular reconstruction generally includes an elongated locking plate having a plurality of internally threaded apertures and a plurality of fasteners. Each fastener includes a main body portion having an upper threaded shaft and a lower threaded shaft. The lower threaded shaft is adapted to engage the mandible. Each fastener further includes a removable head portion internally threaded for engaging the upper shaft portion and externally threaded for engaging a selected one of the internally threaded apertures of the locking plate. In the preferred embodiment, the thread leads of the head portion and lower shaft of the main body portion are identical. A method of mandibular osteosynthesis utilizes the system of osteosynthesis and generally comprises the steps of temporarily securing the elongated locking plate to the mandible with at least one fastener by engaging the threads of the lower portion with the mandible and threadably engaging the head with the locking plate, unthreading the head portion from the main body of the fastener to thereby allow displacement of the locking plate from the mandible without removing the fasteners from the mandible, performing a surgical procedure (e.g., removal of a cancerous growth), and re-securing the elongated plate to the fastener with the removable head portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of surgically repairing a bone, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mesh reinforcing member including a plurality of holes;    providing an elongated plate having a plurality of apertures;    placing the mesh reinforcing member adjacent the bone;    placing the elongated plate adjacent to the mesh reinforcing member; and    securing the elongated plate to the bone by passing a fastener through one of the plurality of apertures in the elongated plate and one of the plurality of holes in the mesh reinforcing member.