Prosthetic Rehabilitation After Craniofacial Surgery

Abstract

We report our experience during the last 6 years with 20 patients fitted with prosthesis (19 patients with osseointegration of screw, 1 patient with primarily gluing method) for camouflage of congenital or acquired (trauma, tumor resection) defects of the ear, nose, or eye. Out of a total of 53 extra-oral implants fitted, 3 were lost in the orbital area due to loosening 6 months after radiation treatment. Another three implants were removed at the request of an 80-year-old patient who preferred a prosthesis retained by spectacles because of recurring infection around one of the implants. On average, 43 months (range, 7 months to 8 years) after completion of the prosthesis, 85% of the patients assessed the result as excellent, 15% as good, 0% as fair, and 0% as poor. The ENT surgeon and the prosthesis designer were slightly more critical (ENT surgeon - 95% good or excellent and 5% fair, prosthesis designer - 90% good or excellent, 10% fair).