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Auricular epithesis
Author(s) -
Manestar Dubravko,
Maričić Sven,
Komljenović Dean,
Miletić Damir,
Ružić Baršić Antonija,
Borović Emanuel
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.26113
Subject(s) - otorhinolaryngology , head and neck surgery , university hospital , head and neck , medicine , regional hospital , general surgery , nuclear medicine , surgery , medical emergency
Tumors of the ear are relatively common and usually affect older people. If the tumor is small, a cure can be achieved by total excision and primary closure of the defect. Larger tumors require partial or full amputation of the ear, which negatively affects the aesthetics of the face. For older patients with additional comorbidities, we prefer reconstruction with an epithesis to plastic surgery. We manufacture the epithesis by means of threedimensional (3D) additive manufacturing (AM) technology. The advantages of this approach are a substantially shorter project cycle, with decreased time required to manufacture the epithesis, and excellent results with respect to comfort, aesthetics, and ease of use.