Evaluating patients’ satisfaction level after using 3D printed PEEK facial implants in repairing maxillofacial deformities

Abstract

Backgroundit is generally the case in any traumatic accident where a loss in hard tissue occurs to preform restorative plastic surgery, as there are many materials and approaches used to restore the loss, this research sheds the light on the use of one such material and approach being 3D printed facial implants manufactured from PolyEther Ether Ketone (PEEK) and to evaluate the level of patients’ satisfaction following the use of said method in repairing maxillofacial deformities. Materials and methodsa research sample consisting of 10 patients with facial deformities underwent maxillofacial reconstructive surgery between 2020 and 2021 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Tishreen University Hospital - Latakia - Syria. All patients underwent Computed Tomography (CT) scans, then the design of the required facial implant was carried out, the final form of the facial implant was printed from PolyEther Ether Ketone (PEEK), and then surgical work was performed, a check-up after 3 months of the surgical procedure was carried out to evaluate the level of satisfaction on a scale of 1–5. ResultsThe results from the 10 patients showed a good level of satisfaction except in one case where the facial implant had to be removed due to recurrent infection where the patient showed no signs of response to medicinal treatment following the surgery. Conclusionsthis research suggests that the use of 3D printed PEEK facial implants to be very agreeable in terms of functionality and aesthetics in treating various facial deformities.