Digitally made nasal prosthesis: A new frontier in facial reconstruction - Case report

Background

Worldwide, millions of people experience sickness, trauma, or birth defects that negatively impact their social interactions, career, finances, mental health, and overall quality of life. When anatomical portions where plastic surgery is not appropriate or too expensive are given new functions and aesthetics, prostheses improve the quality of life for most affected individuals. The production of prosthesis items could benefit from 3D printing as a viable method to address the drawbacks of traditional construction, including lack of attachment, function, robustness, aesthetics, and cost. But prosthetic material 3D printing is still in its infancy and faces several obstacles, including low mechanical strength in printed parts, printability problems, restricted 3D printing of appropriate prosthesis materials, and flaws.

Case report

53 years old male reported with a complaint of a missing nose. The nasal defect was postsurgical following total rhinectomy for squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was treated for Grade 2 squamous cell carcinoma. Patient underwent total rhinectomy and rehabilitated with forehead rotation flap and split thickness graft cover. Then the defect was rehabilitated through digital procedure for creating nasal prosthesis.

Conclusion

Digital technology is changing prosthetic design and manufacture by combining precision, personalisation, and efficiency, providing new hope and a higher quality of life for individuals who have had their noses surgically removed.