Assessment of treatment outcomes for facial prostheses in patients with craniofacial defects: A pilot retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
The longevity of silicone facial prostheses is short, and published data concerning this type of rehabilitation are limited.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify predictive variables for prosthetic failure and to highlight the results that can be expected after treatment with silicone facial prostheses.


METHODS
After institutional approval, patient records from a single Brazilian institution for the time period 2004 to 2015 were assessed. A standardized form was used to collect patient data. Frailty survival modeling (simple random effects survival model) was used to test whether age, sex, type of prosthesis, source of defect, number of implants, and type of retention have a direct impact on the prosthetic failure rate (α=.05).


RESULTS
Auricular prostheses were the most frequently fabricated prostheses. Eighty-four prostheses were fabricated during the follow-up period. The overall survival rate for facial prostheses was 34.5%. Color alteration was the most common reason for new prostheses (27.38%). The implant success rate was 98.18%. The number of implants approached statistical significance (P=.06) with a reduced risk of failure when the patient had 2 implants compared with patients with zero implants and patients with more than 2 implants.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients should be recalled frequently so that retouches can be performed, avoiding the repeated fabrication of new prostheses. Well-designed studies are necessary to identify more relevant complications and factors that lead to prosthetic failure.
Coordinator, Dental Oncology Service, Institute of Cancer of São Paulo (ICESP), São Paulo, Brazil; and Coordinator, Anaplastology Service of Brånemark Institute, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: thais.brandao@icesp.org.br.
Thais Bianca
TB
Brandão
Assistant, Dental Oncology Service, Institute of Cancer of São Paulo São Paulo (ICESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
Aljomar José
AJ
Vechiato Filho
Doctoral student, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Aracatuba Dental School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
Victor Eduardo
VE
de Souza Batista
Assistant, Dental Oncology Service, Institute of Cancer of São Paulo (ICESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Ana Carolina
AC
Prado Ribeiro
Professor, Department of Traumatology and Bucomaxillofacial Surgery, University of Sagrado Coração (USC), Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Coordinator, Surgery Service of Brånermark Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.
Hugo Nary
HN
Filho
Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.
Israel
I
Chilvarquer
Director, Center of Oral Health Research, Omaha, Neb.; Professor, Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Omaha, Neb.; and Member and Past Chair, Academic Partners, Center for Promoting Health and Health Equality, Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.
Martha E
ME
Nunn
Assistant Professor, Oral Diagnosis Department, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
Alan Roger
AR
Santos-Silva
Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba Dental School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Valentim Adelino Ricardo
VAR
Barão
Section head, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Veteran's Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Neb.; and Special Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.
Alvin G
AG
Wee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult