Patient-Specific Implants in Maxillofacial Reconstruction: A Case Report

Abstract

Background The surgical repair and reconstruction of defects in the craniomaxillofacial region can be exigent because of complex anatomy, sensitivity of the involved systems, and uniqueness of each defect. The need to reconstruct the defect in the most precise way for the surgical procedure is of crucial importance to surgeons for enhancing patient outcomes and well-being. Autogenous grafts are considered the gold standard for reconstruction but are associated with an unpredictable resorption and donor site morbidity. The introduction of 3-dimensional printing in the biomedical field has led to the utilization of patient-specific implants (PSIs) in the surgical repair of maxillofacial defects, which occur congenitally, posttraumatically, or postsurgically. PSI fit quickly with greater accuracy with the added benefit of shorter rehabilitation time. Material and Method A 21-year-old male with a history of left zygomatico–orbital–maxillary complex fracture presented complaining of secondary deformity as a result of facial trauma. He underwent zygomatic osteotomy and repositioning followed by PSI reconstruction of the left zygoma, left orbital floor with titanium implants. A hemicoronal, subcilliary, and maxillary vestibular approaches were used. Result Good esthetic results with no postoperative complications are obtained. Conclusion The use of PSI for the reconstruction of oral and craniomaxillofacial defects should be considered an accurate alternative to noncustom-made implants. Automation allows for the application of safe, time-effective procedures not requiring specialized, and software-specific knowledge. The major drawback of PSI is its high cost, but many advantages of using PSI outweigh this disadvantage.