title: Patient-Specific Implant in Prosthetic Craniofacial Reconstruction: First Report of a Novel Technique With Far-Reaching Perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Application of endosseous implants in prosthetic craniofacial reconstruction represents a secure and reliable method and is a well-established surgical procedure. In areas of low bone presentation, standardized plate-like titanium implants are available. For allowing a congruent fitting to the recipient site, these contemporary implants have to be manually adapted--implicating drawbacks in terms of time consumption, technical complexity, and insufficient functional outcome. Owing to these limitations, a custom-made patient-specific implant is introduced based on Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data and designed for optimal prosthetic reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the first time, the application of a prefabricated patient-specific implant for retaining a craniofacial prosthesis is described. In a 64-year-old man with partial nasal defect standardized plate-like implants failed because of compromised bone quality due to Osler disease. To realize an implant-retained prosthetic reconstruction, a patient-specific implant was fabricated based on computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. This technique allows for considering the implant's ideal geometry as well as its correct placement of the required magnetic abutments. Furthermore, the surface of the implant can be designed for optimal hygienic conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient-specific implant was successfully inserted in a time effective operating procedure. Follow-up at 6 months showed an excellent functional and aesthetic outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of prefabricated patient-specific implants offers prospectively an ideal tool for retaining craniofacial prostheses and should be considered a viable option in standard cases, but obligatory in anatomically demanding defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Navigation, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabine Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Toso
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Menzel
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Motzkus
authors.forename: Nicolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Adolphs
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoffmeister
authors.forename: Jan-Dirk
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Raguse
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D001863:Bone Screws; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D059346:Magnets; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D061646:Operative Time; D066230:Patient-Specific Modeling; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D060489:Prosthesis Retention; D013683:Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / Q000628:therapy; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium