A 22-year-old African migrant who lost
the use of his jaws after being tortured on the long journey
from central Africa has had his mandible reconstructed in
Caserta, the hospital said Monday.
The surgical procedure for the bilateral replacement of the
temporomandibular joints with biocompatible titanium prostheses,
custom-designed and made with 3D printing technology, was
successfully performed at the "Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano"
Hospital in the city north of Naples.
The delicate procedure, performed by the team of the Complex
Operating Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery (directed by Pasquale
Piombino, in collaboration with Massimo Robiony and Salvatore
Sembronio), involved the 22-year-old African man who, due to
bilateral temporomandibular ankylosis caused by beatings and
mistreatment suffered during the journey from Africa, could no
longer open his mouth, compromising vital functions such as
eating, speaking, breathing, and having devastating
repercussions in terms of quality of life and psychological
well-being.
"Thanks to the integration of advanced technology and an
approach centered on the patient and his needs, combining
science and humanization of care - states Piombino - we have
achieved an extraordinary intervention, the first of its kind in
Southern Italy.
"An important result, the fruit of collaboration and synergy
between institutions, the public health service, humanitarian
associations that support patients from difficult contexts.
"A few days after the operation, the young man shows very
significant signs of recovery.
"Rehabilitation will allow him to gradually restore his joint
functions.
"And he will smile again.
"A smile, which we also make our own, satisfied to have offered
him the opportunity to recover dignity and hope, after an
experience of great suffering and marginalization".
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