A case report of functional rehabilitation by obturator prosthesis for an edentulous post-maxillectomy patient after free flap reconstruction

Abstract

Patient: The patient was a 73-year-old female who was referred by a head and neck surgeon for preoperative examination of subtotal maxillectomy owing to tumor. After surgery, she had her bone defect and reconstruction with fibula. Vestibuloplasty with defatting was performed as a preprosthetic treatment. The volume of the vestibuloplasty was determined using a complete denture as a surgical stent and the final prosthesis was fabricated.

Discussion: An improved alveolar ridge and denture stability were achieved by preprosthetic surgery, though a complete denture could not be fabricated because of the volume of the flap after maxillectomy. Chewing ability and high patient satisfaction were achieved over three years.

Conclusion: Vestibuloplasty with defatting as a preprosthetic treatment was effective for denture stability and resulted in improved masticatory function.