IMMEDIATE SURGICAL OBTURATOR AFTER MAXILLECTOMY: REVIEW OF 112 CASES FROM LITERATURE AND 2 ILLUSTRATIVE CASES

Objective To review 112 literature cases of patients who received maxillectomies and were rehabilitated with an immediate surgical obturator (ISO) and to discuss details such as sociodemographic data, histopathology, type of maxillary resection, type of prosthetic treatment, and follow-up period. Two illustrative cases of ISO installed after maxillectomy are also presented. Study Design The study was carried out in 2 steps. In the first, an electronic search of ISO for patients who received maxillectomies was performed on MEDLINE/PubMed. In the second, 2 cases diagnosed in children with maxillary neoplasms were reported. Results The review involved 71 (63%) male patients and 41 (37%) female patients with a mean age of 52.8 years. The predominant diagnosis reported was squamous cell carcinoma (67.4%). All patients were treated with conventional methods or by computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing method ISO with follow-up periods ranging from 3 weeks to 96 months. Pain and discomfort were reported by few patients. The illustrative cases were an odontogenic myxoma and a fibrous histiocytoma, both in the maxillary region. ISO was installed immediately after maxillectomy. Conclusions ISO was fundamental for the support and protection of the surgical dressing, maintaining facial contour, and enhancing speaking, swallowing, and chewing functions with a rapid return to normal function. Support: FAPEMIG and FMP-FO/UFMG.