Analysis of the Effectiveness of 3D Printed Patient-Specific Implants for Reconstruction of Maxillary Defect Secondary to Mucormycosis.

Abstract

Patients affected with mucormycosis of maxilla have been increasing following Covid-19 infections. We followed the reconstruction of the maxilla using 3D manufactured patient-specific implants. The additive manufacturing technology is capable of fabricating custom-made titanium implants precisely for oral and maxillofacial reconstructions. To analyse the effectiveness of 3D manufactured patient-specific implants in the reconstruction of maxilla affected by mucormycosis secondary to Covid-19. Methodology:This study was conducted among 20 patients receiving patient-specific implants for surgical and prosthetic reconstruction of the maxilla. The parameters analysed at baseline, 3months, 6months, and 12months were pain, implant exposure, infection, wound dehiscence, fit of implant, postoperative surgical rating scale, and patient experience evaluation rating scale. Inferential Statistics revealed a positive correlation. From the present data, it can be concluded that within the limitations of the study, patient-specific implant systems are an effective treatment strategy for the reconstruction of the maxilla affected by mucormycosis secondary to Covid-19. More studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are required to substantiate the results from the present study. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-023-01922-7.