(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 9 - 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". (ANSA).