Osseointegrated implant applications in cosmetic and functional skull base rehabilitation

This study discusses the indications, outcomes, and complications in patients that underwent osseointegrated implantation for skull base rehabilitation. We conducted a retrospective review of eight patients with skull base defects who had undergone implantation of a facial prosthetic retention device ± bone-anchored hearing aid at a tertiary academic referral center. Descriptive analysis of applications, techniques, outcomes, and complications were reviewed. The majority of patients were males (n = 6) with previously diagnosed skull base malignancy (n = 5) with an average age of 46 (range, 14 to 77). All patients received an implanted facial prosthetic device either for an aural (n = 7) or orbital (n = 1) prosthesis. There were only two complications that included infection (n = 1) and implant extrusion (n = 1). Osseointegrated implantation of abutments for anchoring prosthetic devices in patients for skull base rehabilitation provides an excellent cosmetic option with minimal complications.