Recommendations for implant‐retained nasal prostheses after ablative tumor surgery: Minimal surgical aftercare, high implant survival, and satisfied patients

BACKGROUND: Nasal defects resulting from tumor resection are preferably rehabilitated with implant-retained nasal prostheses. Aftercare, clinical outcome of the implants, and patients' satisfaction with implant-retained nasal prostheses were assessed. METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients needing total rhinectomy because of tumor resection between 1998 and 2013 were treated according to a standardized protocol with 2 implants in the nasal floor. Surgical and prosthetic aftercare was scored using patient records. Finally in 2014, skin reaction, peri-implant bone loss, and patients' satisfaction were assessed in all 13 still living patients. RESULTS: In total, 56 implants were inserted (median follow-up, 35.1 months; interquartile range [IQR], 8.9-63.3). Implant survival was 96.4%. Implant survival was independent of radiotherapy. Peri-implant skin was healthy and patients' satisfaction high. Longevity of the prostheses was limited. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation of nasal defects resulting from total rhinectomy with implant-retained nasal prostheses, according to our protocol, resulted in high patient satisfaction and favorable treatment outcome.