A Retrospective Study of Implant-Retained Auricular Prostheses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical results of the implant-retained auricular prosthesis. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 46 patients who were treated between 1992 and 2004 with implant-retained auricular prostheses. A total of 156 implants and 1 plate (Epitec System) were placed in 46 patients, including 23 EO System implants, and 133 Brånemark implants. The implant survival rate was 100%. Twenty patients with 53 implants were re-examined to evaluate the peri-implant soft tissue status. Two clinical peri-implant parameters were applied, skin probing depth and sulcus fluid flow rate. Results: No adverse skin reactions were observed in 22 implants. Skin pockets were found in all of the 53 reexamined implants, which indicates the need for greater skin reduction. The mean skin probing depth and sulcus fluid flow rate were 2.1 ± 0.9 mm and 1.8 ± 1.3 mm, respectively, and a significant positive correlation was found between these 2 parameters. Conclusions: From these results, it can be concluded that the implant-retained auricular prosthesis promises long-term stability for patients with severe defects or total loss of the ear. Furthermore, sulcus fluid flow rate is a valuable parameter for the evaluation of peri-implant soft tissue. Keywords: auricular prostheses, extraoral implants, osseointegration, peri-implantitis