Immediate facial rehabilitation in cancer patients using CAD–CAM and rapid prototyping technology: a pilot study

Purpose This study describes the workflow in a procedure to create a provisional facial prosthesis for cancer patients using digital and rapid prototyping technologies without the need for supporting craniofacial implants. Materials and methods An integrated workflow procedure aimed at the construct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Supportive care in cancer 2010-06, Vol.18 (6), p.723-728
Main Authors: Ciocca, Leonardo, Fantini, Massimiliano, Marchetti, Claudio, Scotti, Roberto, Monaco, Carlo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Analysis
Cancer
Cancer patients
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery
Care and treatment
Computer-Aided Design
Computer-aided manufacturing
Digital libraries
Eye, Artificial
Facial Neoplasms - surgery
Female
Humans
Implants, Artificial
Maxillofacial Prosthesis Implantation
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Nose
Nose Deformities, Acquired - surgery
Nursing
Nursing Research
Oncology
Oncology, Experimental
Original Article
Pain Medicine
Pilot Projects
Plastic surgery
Prostheses
Prosthesis
Prosthesis Design - methods
Rapid prototyping
Rehabilitation Medicine
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Summary:Purpose This study describes the workflow in a procedure to create a provisional facial prosthesis for cancer patients using digital and rapid prototyping technologies without the need for supporting craniofacial implants. Materials and methods An integrated workflow procedure aimed at the construction of provisional silicone prosthesis was used to rehabilitate a facial disfigurement in a patient who had undergone ablative surgery of the midface. A laser scan of the defect was obtained, and a digital model of the patient′s face was constructed using virtual mirroring of the healthy side and referencing the “Nose Digital Library.” Results The missing volume of the face was reconstructed, and a rapid-prototyped mold was devised to process the silicone prosthesis. A provisional eyeglasses-supported prosthesis designed with a CAD/CAM-projected titanium substructure was connected using the micro-components of implant prosthetic devices. Conclusions The workflow described herein offers a viable procedure for quickly restoring facial defects by means of provisional prosthetic rehabilitation.
ISSN:0941-4355
1433-7339
DOI:10.1007/s00520-009-0676-5