Indore, April 9, 2024. In the renowned Medanta Super Specialty Hospital known for its excellent healthcare services, a complex and rare gunshot case emerged recently. A 40-year-old man was struck by a bullet which shattered his lower jawbone. The patient was brought to Medanta Hospital in critical condition, where Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Ravi Bilunia and his skilled team promptly initiated treatment. The jawbone was reconstructed using microvascular surgery by extracting bone from the patient's leg. Dr. Ravi Bilunia, Plastic, Cosmetic, and Reconstructive Surgeon at Medanta Super Specialty Hospital, explained, "A few days ago, we encountered a rare gunshot case where the patient's lower jawbone was completely shattered upon arrival at the hospital. The biggest challenge in this situation was reconstructing the jawbone. Initially, the patient was kept in the ICU for several days, during which nutrition was provided through a tube inserted into the throat. The most precise treatment in this situation was to remove the muscles and skin from the leg along with the bone and place it in the jawbone's place. In medical terms, this is called an osteocutaneous fibula free flap. This makes it easier for the jawbone to attain the correct shape. Additionally, to keep the bone alive, it was connected to arteries and veins from the neck to supply blood. This enabled the bone to seamlessly integrate into its place. Now the patient faces no issues with speaking or eating, and he is perfectly healthy." Explaining the procedure in detail, Dr. Bilunia stated, "There are two types of bones in the legs: the tibia and the fibula. The tibia, located on the inner side of the leg, bears the body's weight, while the fibula on the outer side supports it. It doesn't make a difference if the fibula is not present. Keeping this in mind, the fibula bone is used to create the jawbone. The 40-centimeter fibula bone is extracted from the side. Using a machine, it is shaped into the jawbone and even molds for the teeth are created. With the help of a microscope, the fine nerves of the bone and facial muscles are connected so that the bone doesn't deteriorate and integrates properly into the body. Titanium and steel plates are used to connect it internally to the facial structures. Many people have the misconception that microvascular surgery is only available in metropolitan areas or abroad, but now it is also available at Medanta Super Specialty Hospital in Indore, where all precautions before and after surgery are taken into consideration."