Simple reconstruction with titanium mesh and radial forearm flap after globe-sparing total maxillectomy: a 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of eye globe-sparing total maxillectomy defects is one of the major challenges to reconstructive surgeons. In 1994, the authors developed an uncomplicated and easy reconstructive method, where a titanium mesh is applied for the support of orbital contents, a radial forearm free flap for covering the mesh and the cheek lining, and an obturator prosthesis for palatal and dental rehabilitation.

METHODS

Five patients who underwent primary reconstruction with the authors' method after globe-sparing maxillectomy with loss of the orbital floor from 1994 to 1999 and who were followed up for more than 5 years were retrospectively reviewed for (1) the presence of diplopia, (2) the shape of the reconstructed orbital floor assessed by coronal section magnetic resonance imaging, and (3) the presence of infection/exposure of the titanium mesh.

RESULTS

Only one of the five patients developed slight diplopia. Coronal magnetic resonance imaging showed that the orbital floor restored with titanium mesh had in all cases maintained a proper shape and position for more than 5 years. No infection or exposure of the titanium mesh had developed in any of the cases, despite exposure to irradiation of not less than 30 Gy. All the patients had well-retentive obturator prostheses.

CONCLUSION

This long-term follow-up study demonstrated that the authors' method attained a long-lasting successful outcome functionally and is the method of choice for reconstruction after globe-sparing total maxillectomy.