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.
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.