Long-term outcomes of craniofacial implants for the restoration of facial defects

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term survival of craniofacial implants and prostheses and to identify factors associated with failure in a cohort of patients. A 25-year retrospective analysis was conducted at Royal Melbourne Hospital. Data included demographic characteristics, age, site and cause of the deformity, and number and survival of implants. Odds ratios were calculated and event-to-time Kaplan-Meier analyses performed. One hundred and ten patients were included (341 implants); their mean age was 46.2 years. The overall implant survival rate was 79.5% (mean follow-up 10.6 years). Temporal implants had the highest success rate (97.0%), followed by nasal implants (87.5%) and orbital implants (63.3%); differences were statistically significant (P<0.0001 and P=0.033, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analyses to determine long-term implant and prosthesis survival found temporal implants had the highest prosthetic (P<0.0001) and implant survival (P<0.0001). Patients with congenital deformities demonstrated the highest success rate. Radiotherapy was found to increase the risk of implant failure (P=0.02). Craniofacial implant-retained prostheses are a reliable and effective option for the restoration of facial defects, with good long-term success rates. Orbital implants and those placed post oncological surgery have a higher failure rate.