[Management of craniofacial bone defects with individually prefabricated titanium implants. Follow-up and evaluation of 78 patients with 78 titanium implants 1994-1998].
METHODS
From 1994 to 1998, 78 prefabricated titanium implants were used for the reconstruction of large and complex cranial and craniofacial defects in 76 patients at 19 European centres. After a mean follow-up of 8 months, a clinical and radiological examination was used to determine the results of the reconstruction and the patients' satisfaction. Using a standardized questionnaire patients were also able to comment, subjectively, on improvements or alterations after the insertion of the implant.


RESULTS
Two implants were removed after an early infectious complication and in a another two cases the implants were removed in order to obtain a tissue sample for histological examination. All other patients showed constant good to excellent clinical and radiological findings with high patient satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of titanium fulfils the highest demands of biocompatibility while at the same time allowing the possibility of an oncological examination using suitable turbo-spinecho-sequences in MRI.
Kamyszek
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Klinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, Universitätsklinikum, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, In der Schomau 23-25, 44892 Bochum.
Weihe
S
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Scholz
M
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Wehmöller
M
M
Eufinger
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003399:Craniotomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D014025:Titanium
D014025:Titanium