Purpose: The objective of this study is to report the results from our clinical experience with patients treated with osseointegrated implants in the craniofacial region and analyze treatment outcomes.

Patients and methods: Fifty-six patients who received osseointegrated implants to retain craniofacial prostheses between 2003 and 2010 were followed retrospectively. Defects were congenital malformations ( N = 5), consequent to trauma ( N = 8) and cancer surgery ( N = 43). The variables recorded were gender, number and size of implants, age at implant placement, history of radiation to the treated field, date of prosthesis delivery, soft tissue response and date of the last follow-up.

Results: A total of 150 titanium implants were placed to support 17 auricular prostheses, 14 orbital prostheses, 11 nasal prostheses, and 14 complex midfacial prostheses. The overall cumulative survival rates were 94.8% for auricular, 90.9% for nasal, 96.9% for orbital, and 91% for midfacial implants, respectively.

Conclusion: From this study, it is concluded that implant-retained craniofacial prosthesis is a safe, reliable and predictable method to restore the patient’s normal appearance.

Conflict of interest: None declared.