Epidemiological profile of oral and maxillofacial prosthesis rehabilitated patients in the Brazilian National Cancer Institute: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Maxillofacial prostheses represent a rehabilitative option for patients who underwent head and neck tumor resection. Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of maxillofacial prostheses rehabilitated patients in an oncology reference center, from 2015 to 2020. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive, observational study, based on secondary data. The maxillofacial prostheses were identified through the prosthesis laboratory records. The socio-demographic, clinical, and maxillofacial prosthesis data were collected from medical records and were descriptively analyzed according to the prosthesis types. Results: A total of 202 patients and 282 maxillofacial prostheses were identified. Obturator prostheses (37%) were the most frequent, and 2019 was the year with the largest production (54%). Males (55%), with 45 years, and incomplete primary education (32%) prevailed. Most tumors were carcinomas (43%), in the palate (40%), with 15.5 months of evolution, at stage III (25%) Surgery and surgery associated with radiotherapy were the most commonly used therapeutic modalities (40% each). At the last visit, most patients had complete remission of the disease (67%). Maxillofacial prostheses were mostly in acrylic resin (92%), with 9.5 months of use, and hygiene was considered satisfactory (87%). Most patients reported good adaptation (82%), satisfaction (76%), satisfactory hygiene (87%), and no adverse events (83%) or difficulties (69%) associated with its use. Conclusion: These data highlight the importance of oral and maxillofacial prostheses as an effective and accessible tool in the rehabilitation process and reinforce the need for a multidisciplinary team to work in oncology, with the dentist as an essential player in this context.