Reconstruction of the external ear using implant-supported alloplasts-Our experience

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Surgical reconstruction of the external ear presents significant challenges, often yielding suboptimal aesthetic and functional outcomes.
• Congenital conditions (like microtia) and acquired factors can lead to partial or complete absence of the ear (auricular deformity).
• Implant-retained auricular prostheses provide a promising alternative for auricular rehabilitation.

Observation:

• A case series involving three patients (two male, one female; average age 16.6 years) with unilateral or bilateral ear absence was presented.
• Two titanium implants were surgically placed in the temporal bone for each missing ear, followed by a 6-month osseointegration period.
• Rehabilitation involved bar and clip-retained auricular prostheses, with a total of 10 implants placed across the patients.

Findings:

• The implant-retained auricular prostheses demonstrated good retention and high patient satisfaction across the observed cases.
• The average follow-up period post-rehabilitation was 18 months.
• Minor peri-implant tissue reactions were noted at two implant sites.

Implications:

• Implant-retained auricular prostheses represent a successful treatment modality for auricular defects, enhancing patient quality of life.
• Further long-term studies are necessary to evaluate potential delayed complications and confirm the durability of this reconstructive approach.
• This method offers a reliable solution for patients with significant auricular loss where traditional surgery is not feasible or has failed.