Maxillofacial Rehabilitation of a Microstomic Patient After Resection of Nose, Lip, and Maxilla

Abstract

Few published reports have addressed the issues related to upper lip reconstruction. The present clinical report describes the maxillofacial rehabilitation of an edentulous patient who had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum and contiguous structures. The patient underwent total rhinectomy, anterior maxillectomy, and maxillary lip resection. Her maxillary lip was reconstructed with a bilateral cheek advancement flap, which allowed primary closure of the lip and aided in maintaining function of the orbicularis oris muscle. Microstomia was anticipated and was a consequence of this procedure. During primary resection, and before chemoradiotherapy, dental implants were successfully placed in the maxilla. These implants helped to retain a maxillary obturator prosthesis, which, in turn, helped to retain a silicone nasal prosthesis that restored the nasal defect. An intranasal acrylic resin framework with magnets aided in connecting the extraoral prosthesis with the intraoral prosthesis. The surgical and prosthodontic advantages of a cheek advancement flap and the treatment challenges in a microstomic patient are discussed.