What are the advantages of maxillofacial prosthesis?

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• 
  Valmiki Sharma · University of Cambridge

  You must remember also that there are a few other factors which play into the final reconstruction/restorative decision making process: Patient factors: Medical Hx, poor prognosis, palliation etc... and of course pt's wishes Surgeon factors: Inexperienced surgical staff, unavailability of appropriate equipment/monitoring Economics: Prostheses are generally a cheaper alternative and of course are generally easier to maintain and repair. They also remove the cost of higher level hospital monitoring in the initial stages of tissue transfer. Disease monitoring: Prostheses can be removed for monitoring the surgical site The above are not an exhaustive.

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  You must remember also that there are a few other factors which play into the final reconstruction/restorative decision making process:
  Patient factors: Medical Hx, poor prognosis, palliation etc... and of course pt's wishes
  Surgeon factors: Inexperienced surgical staff, unavailability of appropriate equipment/monitoring
  Economics: Prostheses are generally a cheaper alternative and of course are generally easier to maintain and repair. They also remove the cost of higher level hospital monitoring in the initial stages of tissue transfer.
  Disease monitoring: Prostheses can be removed for monitoring the surgical site
  
  The above are not an exhaustive.

  Feb 8, 2012
• 
  Deleted

  One more important factor should be kept in mind is it's advantage in restoring orofacial functions. These functions may include swallowing, speech and/or chewing!

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  One more important factor should be kept in mind is it's advantage in restoring orofacial functions. These functions may include swallowing, speech and/or chewing!

  Feb 8, 2012
• 
  Daniel Oreadi · Tufts University

  I agree with the above. Systemic conditions may influence the reconstruction efforts although in some situations the use of maxillofacial prosthesis could provide long term functional outcomes as in the case of maxillectomy defects where a free flap may not allow for functional rehabilitation.

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  I agree with the above. Systemic conditions may influence the reconstruction efforts although in some situations the use of maxillofacial prosthesis could provide long term functional outcomes as in the case of maxillectomy defects where a free flap may not allow for functional rehabilitation.

  Feb 8, 2012
• 
  Valmiki Sharma · University of Cambridge

  Agreed. Maybe we're trying to overcomplicate matters. Take the maxilla for instance- local flaps (temporalis for example) produce quite acceptable and predictable results. Of course, these local flaps can also be used in conjunction with a prosthetic covering. One more thing Mohammad, nothing pedictably supports the facial curtain as well as a carefully made prosthesis and this can (and does) feed directly into pt's psyche and general social rehabilitation.

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  Agreed.
  Maybe we're trying to overcomplicate matters. Take the maxilla for instance- local flaps (temporalis for example) produce quite acceptable and predictable results. Of course, these local flaps can also be used in conjunction with a prosthetic covering.
  One more thing Mohammad, nothing pedictably supports the facial curtain as well as a carefully made prosthesis and this can (and does) feed directly into pt's psyche and general social rehabilitation.

  Feb 8, 2012
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  Mauricio Meirelles · Hospital de Força Aérea do Galeão

  All the points very well said, the only difference here in Rio de Janeiro, is the customized prosthesis cost is still very expensive and rarely paid by the public health system. Unfortunately public hospitals do not provide means for customizing by themselves; insurance companies make it very complicated to authorize these procedures. We are used to use titanium meshes for cranial defects and sometimes polyethilene for mid third corrections shaping them at surgical time.

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  All the points very well said, the only difference here in Rio de Janeiro, is the customized prosthesis cost is still very expensive and rarely paid by the public health system. Unfortunately public hospitals do not provide means for customizing by themselves; insurance companies make it very complicated to authorize these procedures. We are used to use titanium meshes for cranial defects and sometimes polyethilene for mid third corrections shaping them at surgical time.

  Feb 9, 2012
• 
  Grethe Stark · Tshwane University of Technology

  From a prosthetist side, maxillofacial prosthesis definately have its place. I have read many case studies on burned victims and it is preferred to rather go for a prosthesis than further surgery where there is already very little tissue to work with. The advancements in silicone and techniques really makes it an option to consider.

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  From a prosthetist side, maxillofacial prosthesis definately have its place. I have read many case studies on burned victims and it is preferred to rather go for a prosthesis than further surgery where there is already very little tissue to work with. The advancements in silicone and techniques really makes it an option to consider.

  Aug 10, 2012
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  Mauricio Meirelles · Hospital de Força Aérea do Galeão

  Good point! Burned patients do not provide enough soft tissue (quality and amount) to cover prosthetic devices. Skin expansions from adjacent sites may be considered for late recover of the affected area; however prosthetic devices can also be used to keep spaces ready for posterior correction avoiding tissue collapse or graft deiscence.

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  Good point! Burned patients do not provide enough soft tissue (quality and amount) to cover prosthetic devices. Skin expansions from adjacent sites may be considered for late recover of the affected area; however prosthetic devices can also be used to keep spaces ready for posterior correction avoiding tissue collapse or graft deiscence.

  Aug 15, 2012