Ectoprostheses in the treatment of facial defects: an analysis of a 7-year material

The article presents the experiences based on facial ectoprostheses over a period of seven years. The material consists of 23 cases, 12 women and 11 men. In 19 cases the facial defects were caused by a malignant neoplasm, in 2 cases by a chronic infection and in 2 cases as a result of trauma. The age of the patients ranged from 23 to 83 years with a dominance in the sixth and seventh decade. The mean age was 62.9 years. The prosthetic problems and solutions are discussed in detail. The usefulness of the facial ectoprostheses is evaluated to be adequate, both in technologic and biologic respect.