Alternative techniques in reconstructive surgery: bone-anchored extraoral implants for burn cases

Area of Science:

• Reconstructive surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• Plastic surgery

Background:

• Auricular reconstruction after burns presents significant aesthetic challenges.
• Traditional methods often involve multiple surgeries and may yield suboptimal results.
• Extraoral, bone-integrated implants offer a minimally invasive alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of extraoral implants for auricular reconstruction post-burn.
• To assess the aesthetic outcomes and complication rates associated with this technique.

Main Methods:

• A two-stage protocol involving implant placement in the mastoid process followed by auricle prosthesis fabrication and application.
• Treatment of two female patients with auricle-temporal region burns.
• Utilizing bone-anchored implants for prosthesis retention.

Main Results:

• Excellent aesthetic results were achieved in all treated cases.
• The technique demonstrated low surgical risks and minimal postsurgical complications.
• Improved prosthesis positioning and reduced local irritation were observed.

Conclusions:

• Bone-anchored extraoral implants represent a valid and effective technique for auricular reconstruction after burns.
• This method complements traditional procedures, offering superior aesthetic outcomes and long-term results.
• It is particularly beneficial for complex cases previously considered untreatable.