Lapointe H J, Lampe H B, Taylor S M
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Medicine, London.
J Otolaryngol. 1996 Oct;25(5):308-12.
To compare maxillectomy patients with immediate versus delayed placement of an obturator prosthesis in terms of patient outcomes.
Retrospective review.
The outcomes of 23 maxillectomy patients seen between 1975 and 1993 at St. Joseph's Health Centre in London, Ontario, were analyzed.
For 17 patients, a prosthesis was placed immediately as part of the operative procedure, and for 6 patients, an occlusive dressing only was placed.
In all parameters studied (length of stay, i.v. requirements, swallowing, clear fluid diet and ambulation), the prosthesis group progressed more quickly and had a more rapid return to normal function.
This study demonstrates the benefits of immediate prostheses for maxillectomy patients and justifies their continued use.
