Reconstruction of Craniomaxillofacial Bone Defects With Customized Prosthesis of Hydroxyapatite/Epoxide Acrylate Maleic Compound Designed by Computer-Aided Technique

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical technique of reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial bone defects by using hand-made customized prosthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA)/epoxide acrylate maleic (EAM) compound with computer-aided technique. Between 2008 and 2015, eleven patients underwent computed tomography, three-dimensional (3D) imaging and reconstruction surgery. These customized HA/EAM compound artificial implants were hand-made, guided by computer-aided solid 3D reconstruction models of pre-operation structures of the patients. The artificial implants had to match the bone loss area accurately and be fixed stable with titanium screws and titanium meshes. For all patients and their surgeons, the post-operative aesthetics and functionality of the prosthesis were satisfactory. Only one patient felt a prominent edge of the prosthesis, but without any discomfort. In this case, a small groove was observed through CT scan. During the follow-up period (6-87 months), none of the 11 patients experienced any other complications, nor did they need secondary operation for adjusting or removing the prosthesis. In conclusion, this reconstruction technique of craniomaxillofacial bone defects by using hand-made customized HA/EAM compound artificial implants can achieve ideal results in both appearance and functionality.