Implant-retained prosthetic rehabilitation of orbital defects.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of endosseous transcutaneous implants to retain removable facial prostheses for the rehabilitation of orbital defects.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Six patients with a history of facial defects secondary to orbital exenteration for cancer ablation.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinically noted functional and cosmetic results, patient reports of satisfaction, and complications encountered.

RESULTS

Twenty-three of 25 implants were integrated (postoperative period, 13 to 65 months; mean, 44.2 months), representing an integration success rate of 92%. All patients were successfully wearing implant-retained prostheses after 48.3 months (post-prosthesis delivery period, 1 to 48.3 months; mean, 24.5 months). Overall patient satisfaction was very high.

CONCLUSIONS

Implant-retained prosthetics represent a safe and effective treatment option. It is anticipated that this treatment will become the standard of rehabilitative care for patients with orbital defects.