Image-Guided Placement of Osseointegrated Implants for Challenging Auricular, Orbital, and Rhinectomy Defects

Extended orbital exenteration, epithetic restoration, and patient supply: A cross-sectional study of a historic cohort

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical course and to redefine an optimized algorithm for OE cases until epithetic restoration.

METHODS

Indication, defect type according to Kesting, reconstructive technique, incidence of postoperative complications and peri-implantitis, patients' quality of life, timing of periorbital implant insertion, incidence of and interval to implant loss, and time until epithetic restoration were analyzed in 43 patients.

RESULTS

A significant correlation was detected between wound dehiscence and defect type. Out of 24 patients, 7 were implanted secondarily with a median time interval of 399 days (270-2015) after OE. Eleven out of 83 placed implants were lost in 8 patients with a median time interval of 586 days (264-4485) after insertion. The majority of epithesis carriers had no or few restrictions in their quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend our modified treatment algorithm to further improve and shorten the clinical course.

Applications of CAD/CAM Technology for Craniofacial Implants Placement and Manufacturing of Auricular Prostheses-Systematic Review

This systematic review was aimed at gathering the clinical and technical applications of CAD/CAM technology for craniofacial implant placement and processing of auricular prostheses based on clinical cases. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, an electronic data search was performed. Human clinical studies utilizing digital planning, designing, and printing systems for craniofacial implant placement and processing of auricular prostheses for prosthetic rehabilitation of auricular defects were included. Following a data search, a total of 36 clinical human studies were included, which were digitally planned and executed through various virtual software to rehabilitate auricular defects. Preoperative data were collected mainly through computed tomography scans (CT scans) (55 cases); meanwhile, the most common laser scanners were the 3dMDface System (3dMD LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA) (6 cases) and the 3 Shape scanner (3 Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) (6 cases). The most common digital design software are Mimics Software (Mimics Innovation Suite, Materialize, Leuven, Belgium) (18 cases), Freeform software (Freeform, NC, USA) (13 cases), and 3 Shape software (3 Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) (12 cases). Surgical templates were designed and utilized in 35 cases to place 88 craniofacial implants in auricular defect areas. The most common craniofacial implants were Vistafix craniofacial implants (Entific Medical Systems, Goteborg, Sweden) in 22 cases. A surgical navigation system was used to place 20 craniofacial implants in the mastoid bone. Digital applications of CAD/CAM technology include, but are not limited to, study models, mirrored replicas of intact ears, molds, retentive attachments, customized implants, substructures, and silicone prostheses. The included studies demonstrated a predictable clinical outcome, reduced the patient's visits, and completed the prosthetic rehabilitation in reasonable time and at reasonable cost. However, equipment costs and trained technical staff were highlighted as possible limitations to the use of CAD/CAM systems.

Systematic Review of Clinical Applications of CAD/CAM Technology for Craniofacial Implants Placement and Manufacturing of Orbital Prostheses

This systematic review was aimed at gathering technical and clinical applications of CAD/CAM technology for the preoperative planning of craniofacial implants placement, designing of molds and substructures and fabrication of orbital prostheses. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, an electronic search was executed. Human studies that utilized digital planning systems for the prosthetic rehabilitation of orbital defects were included. A total of 16 studies of 30 clinical cases, which were virtually planned through various digital planning and designing software, were included. The most common preoperative data required for digital planning were CT scans in 15 cases, the 3DSS-STD-II scanning system in 5 cases, an Artec Color 3D scanner in 3 cases and a NextEngine Desktop 3D laser scanner in 2 cases. Meanwhile, the digital designing software were Ease Orbital Implant Planning EOIPlan software in eight cases, Geomagic software in eight cases, Simplant software in four cases and Artec Studio 12 Professional in three cases. Surgical templates were fabricated for 12 cases to place 41 craniofacial implants in the orbital defect area. An image-guided surgical navigation system was utilized for the placement of five orbital implants in two cases. Digital designing and printing systems were reported for the preoperative planning of craniofacial implants placement, designing of molds and substructures and fabrication of orbital prostheses. The studies concluded that the digital planning, designing and fabrication of orbital prostheses reduce the clinical and laboratory times, reduces patient visits and provide a satisfactory outcome; however, technical skills and equipment costs are posing limitations on the use of these digital systems.

Systematic Review of Clinical Applications of CAD/CAM Technology for Craniofacial Implants Placement and Manufacturing of Nasal Prostheses

The aim of this systematic review was to gather the clinical and laboratory applications of CAD/CAM technology for preoperative planning, designing of an attachment system, and manufacturing of nasal prostheses. According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, an electronic search was carried out. Only human clinical studies involving digital planning for the rehabilitation of facial defects were included. A total of 21 studies were included with 23 patients, which were virtually planned through different planning software. The most common preoperative data for digital planning were CT scans in nine cases, CBCT in six cases, and laser scans in six cases. The reported planning softwares were Mimics in six cases, Geomagic Studio software in six cases, ZBrush in four cases, and Freeform plus software in four cases. Ten surgical templates were designed and printed to place 36 implants after digital planning, while post-operative assessment was done in two cases to check the accuracy of planned implants. Digital 3D planning software was reported for presurgical planning and craniofacial implants placement, fabrication of molds, designing of implants, designing of retentive attachments, and printing of silicone prostheses. Digital technology has been claimed to reduce the clinical and laboratory time; however, the equipment cost is still one of the limitations.

Digital surgical planning and placement of osseointegrated implants to retain an auricular prosthesis using implant software with cone-beam computed tomography and 3D-printed surgical guides: A case report

Integration of CBCT imaging with dental implant treatment planning software and 3D-printed surgical guides can facilitate surgical planning for extraoral implant placement. In the current case, this combined planning strategy enabled navigation of challenging osseous anatomy, avoided critical structures, and optimized osseointegration for prosthesis retention.

Intraoperative Three-dimensional Virtual Reality and Computed Tomographic Guidance in Temporomandibular Joint Arthroplasty of Syndromic Craniofacial Dysostoses

Bony ankylosis of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) occurs in up to 28% of patients with syndromic mandibular dysostoses. Release of complete osseous ankylosis is particularly challenging due to the lack of tissue planes separating the mandible from the skull base and the presence of congenital skeletal abnormalities. One recent advance in surgical imaging technology is three-dimensional virtual reality (3D VR), now in common use in neurosurgical resections. In this study, we describe the usage of 3D VR in TMJ arthroplasty and compare 3D VR to traditional computed tomographic (CT) guidance. Pediatric patients with syndromic mandibular micrognathia including Treacher Collins, Nager, and cerebrocostomandibular syndrome were retrospectively evaluated between 2008 and 2016. Patient characteristics, complications, inpatient times, and operative times were recorded. Of the 29 children with syndromic mandibular micrognathia treated between 2008 and 2016, 7 were diagnosed with TMJ ankyloses. Four consecutive pediatric patients (mean 8.7 years) undergoing interpositional TMJ arthroplasty with Matthews device placement were retrospectively evaluated. Two patients underwent traditional CT-guided versus 3D VR-guided temporomandibular joint arthroplasty (TMJA). No statistically significant differences were found among the age, complications, or inpatient hospitalization times. The average operative time in the traditional CT guidance group was 300 minute versus 134 minutes in the 3D VR group. Three-dimensional VR is a useful preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance tool. The major difference between VR and older technologies is the improved imaging in 3 dimensions for guidance, thereby potentially decreasing operative times.

Osseointegrated implants for auricular prostheses: An alternative to autologous repair

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

This study compares the hospital cost of osseointegrated implants for retention of an auricular prosthesis to autologous ear reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

METHODS

This study includes patients who underwent reconstruction for either congenital or acquired ear defects at Duke University Medical Center during 2009 to 2015.

RESULTS

A total of nine patients had autologous repair representing nine operative ears, and 16 patients had an osseointegrated implant representing 18 operative ears (two bilateral). The average age for the autologous repair was 11.6 years with 56% male versus 40.7 years with 56% male for the osseointegrated implant patients. For autologous patients, indications for surgery were anotia/microtia in 8/9 (89%) and trauma in 1/9 (11%) versus 6/16 (387.5%) anotia/microtia, 8/16 (50%) cancer, and 2/16 (132.5%) trauma in the osseointegrated implant group. The mean number of surgeries was 3.1 for autologous repairs and 1.0 for osseointegrated repairs (mean difference confidence interval [CI]: -2.4 to -1.8, P < .001). The average cost to the hospital for an osseointegrated repair was $6,491.39 versus $10,047.93 for autologous repairs (CI: $6,496.38 to $-616.68, P = .02) CONCLUSIONS: Osseointegrated implants for retaining an auricular prosthesis has a similar cost to autologous repair of ear defects, but patients underwent an average of two more surgeries with autologous repair. Patients should be able to choose the reconstruction option that best suits their condition and preferences.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 128:2153-2156, 2018.

Complex functional and epithetic rehabilitation after ablation of recurrent retroauricular basal cell carcinoma - a case study

The reconstruction of extended defects of the concha poses a complex challenge for plastic surgeons. In cases of subtotal ablation, an alternative method designed especially for elderly oncological patients consists of epithetic rehabilitation. However, inserting an implant-retained concha epithesis proves challenging in patients with antecedents of deep resections involving the mastoid process. In the present case study, we report on the long-term treatment course (2009-2017) of a 79-year-old male patient suffering from a recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the retroauricular region. Following tumor resection, along with lateral mastoidectomy, reconstruction, and adjuvant radiotherapy, functional and esthetic deficits primarily due to peripheral facial nerve palsy were successfully managed using a multistep procedure. The procedure was completed by inserting an implant-retained concha epithesis, resulting in improved quality of life. Due to prior lateral mastoidectomy, ultra-short implants (4 mm) were inserted, partially at atypical positions. For maintaining healthy periimplant soft tissue, aftercare comprised cold plasma treatment. This oncologic case demonstrates the therapeutic necessity of using a broad spectrum of reconstructive procedures, along with their limitations, in a critical anatomic region. Specific features include the presentation of a workflow using ultra-short implants in a compromised mastoid region. Surgeons should consider alternative implant positions in the event of any compromised mastoid process. A particular emphasis has been put on meticulous aftercare to preserve healthy periimplant soft tissues.

Novel expandable short dental implants in situations with reduced vertical bone height-technical note and first results

PURPOSE

Short implants often have the disadvantage of reduced primary stability. The present study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new expandable short dental implant system intended to increase primary stability.

METHODS

As a "proof of concept", a prospective clinical cohort study was designed to investigate intraoperative handling, primary and secondary implant stability (resonance frequency analysis), crestal bone changes, implant survival and implant success, of an innovative short expandable screw implant. From 2014 until 2015, 9 patients (7-9-mm vertical bone height) with 30 implants (length 5-7 mm, diameter 3.75-4.1 mm) were recruited consecutively.

RESULTS

All 30 implants in the 9 patients (age 44 to 80 years) could be inserted and expanded without intraoperative problems. Over the 3-year follow-up period, the implant success rate was 28/30 (93.3%). The mean implant stability quotients (ISQ) were as follows: primary stability, 69.7 ± 10.3 ISQ units, and secondary stability, 69.8 ± 10.2 ISQ units (p = 0.780), both without significant differences between the maxilla and mandible (p ≥ 0.780). The mean crestal bone changes after loading were (each measured from the baseline) as follows: in the first year, 1.0 ± 0.9 mm in the maxilla and 0.7 ± 0.4 mm in the mandible, and in the second year, 1.3 ± 0.8 mm and 1.0 ± 0.7 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to other prospective studies, in this indication, the success rate is acceptable. Implant stability shows high initial and secondary stability values. The system might present an extension of functional rehabilitation to the group of elderly patients with limited vertical bone height. Further long-term investigations should directly compare this compressive implant with standard short implants.