A Novel Method to Rehabilitate Post-mucormycosis Maxillectomy Defect by Using Patient-Specific Zygoma Implant

During second wave of COVID pandemic, India faced heavy surge of mucormycosis. Treatment option for these patients included either total or partial maxillectomy with primary closure. Rehabilitation of these patients became challenging because of their age and size of defect. The purpose of the present study is to present a new digital technique for the fabrication of patient-specific zygoma implants (PSI) and to report on its survival and complication rates.

Total 21 patients who had undergone either partial or total maxillectomy after mucormycosis and who were disease-free clinically and radiographically for 6 or more months post-resection were rehabilitated using patient-specific zygoma implant. CT scan was obtained for all patients post-maxillectomy for evaluation of existing bone condition. Exocad software was used for virtual surgical planning of zygoma implant considering surgical and prosthetic technicality to achieve goal of maximum functionality and sustainability.

All the patients were followed up after 15, 30, 45 and 90 days and there after every month for evaluation of soft tissue healing, infection, dehiscence, loosening of prosthesis, eating efficiency and aesthetic. Follow-up period for all 15 patients was in the range of 6-12 months.

In case of post-mucor maxillectomy patients, use of PSI offers the advantages of minimal bone augmentation, reduction in time required to restore lost function, and reduced financial burden of multiple procedures. Therefore, PSI may represent a valid alternative treatment for the prosthetic restoration of post-mucor maxillectomy patients.