What Researchers Did
Researchers described operative techniques and complication management for 16 patients receiving osseointegrated implants for auricular defects at a tertiary referral center between 2010 and 2013.
What They Found
Of 16 patients, 5 had microtia and atresia, with 2 receiving bilateral simultaneous osseointegrated prosthetic and hearing implants. The remaining 11 patients had unilateral defects from trauma or cancer resection, and complications included tissue overgrowth (2 patients), inadequate bone stock, implant loss due to osteoradionecrosis, and skin infection.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study provides insights into surgical techniques and complication management for osseointegrated implants used in auricular defect reconstruction. Canadian patients considering this type of reconstructive surgery may benefit from understanding the potential procedures and associated risks.
Canadian Relevance
This study was conducted at a tertiary referral center in the United States and has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its descriptive nature, small sample size of 16 patients, and single-center design.