RESUMEN
Oral rehabilitation after maxillary oncological resection is challenging. This case report presents the rehabilitation of a 65-year-old Caucasian male adenoid cystic carcinoma patient using a myo-cutaneous thigh flap, zygomatic implant placement, and an immediate fixed provisional prosthesis made with computer-aided technologies. The patient presented complaints of asymptomatic enlarged swelling of 5-mm on the right hard hemi-palate. There was an oro-antral communication deriving from a previous local excision. Preoperative radiographs showed the involvement of the right maxilla, maxillary sinus, and nose with a suspect involvement of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Treatment was planned through a fully digital workflow. A partial maxillectomy was performed endoscopically, and maxilla was reconstructed using an anterolateral thigh free flap. Two zygomatic implants were inserted simultaneously. A provisional fix full-arch prosthesis was manufactured preoperatively through a fully digital workflow and was placed in the operating room. Following post-operative radiotherapy, the patient received a final hybrid prosthesis. During the follow-up period of two years, the patient reported good function, aesthetics, and significant enhancement in quality of life. According to the results of this case, the protocol represented can be a promising alternative for oral cancer patients with large defects, and can lead to an improved quality of life.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIMS: When facial trauma involves elderly patients, the possible presence of frailty and comorbidities in victims of trauma may worsen the posttraumatic symptoms and decrease quality of life. The aim of this multicenter study was to assess the quality of life following surgical or non-operative management of maxillofacial trauma in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort study was based on the administration of validated self-administered questionnaires to all the geriatric patients (70 years or more) with facial fractures from the involved maxillofacial surgical units across Europe, since 1st January 2019 to 31st June 2019. The following questionnaires were administered: SF36 questionnaire; the VFQ-25 questionnaire; the Oral Health Impact Profile - 14 (OHIP14). Outcome variables were VFQ-25 and OHIP-14 results. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients (14 male and 23 female patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Elderly patients had an improvement in almost all the categories examined by the SF-36 questionnaire 6 months after trauma, with the only exception of a worsening as for role limitations due to physical health. An improvement was observed in almost all the categories at SF-36 test. A worsening of scores of OHIP-14 for all the considered dimensions in the whole study population was observed too. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients following facial trauma experience significant emotional, social, and functional disturbances. We observed that emotional problems, energy/fatigue, social functioning, and generally social limitations played a great role in the decrease of QoL in elderly patients following maxillofacial trauma.
