Digital planning workflow for partial maxillectomy using an osteotomy template and immediate rehabilitation of...

There is increasing evidence of benefits for the rehabilitation of Brown II defects with prosthesis in surgery. However, the current literature is sparse for maxillary tumour resection using osteotomy templates.

To assess the accuracy of maxillectomy using a custom fabricated osteotomy template and to evaluate the prosthesis for surgical accuracy, appearance and functioning (speech, swallowing and occlusal force).

Ten patients with Brown II defects caused by tumour resection were treated with precise partial maxillectomy using an osteotomy template. The immediate rehabilitation of the Brown II defect was completed with a prefabricated prosthesis. The post-operative three-dimensional images and the pre-operative virtual images were superimposed, and average deviation and maximum deviation were calculated. Speech intelligibility, swallowing, appearance and University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QoL) were examined at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Occlusal force was examined post-operatively at 6 months.

The maximum deviation between the actual and virtual surgery was 5.12 ± 0.44 mm, with an average of 1.02 ± 0.17 mm. Speech intelligibility, swallowing and UW-QoL improved significantly (P < .05) after wearing the prosthesis. The recovery index of the occlusal force on the affected side was 20.19%-32.28%. The skewed degree of the mouth corner, the difference in the height of the left and right lips, the maximum deviation distance and the change area volume decreased significantly (P < .05).

The precise rehabilitation of maxillary Brown II defects can be achieved using a prosthesis fabricated with an osteotomy template. The prosthesis restored appearance and functional capabilities (such as speech and occlusal force).