Work

Occlusal and Dental Outcomes Following Facial Allotransplantation

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Most of the literature surrounding face transplantation focuses on immunology, function, and psychology. Dental and orthognathic outcomes remain persistently underreported. This study sought to review the worldwide face transplant experience and, for the first time, evaluate dental, orthognathic, and skeletal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All composite allografts containing maxilla and/or mandible with alveolus were examined, and dental and orthognathic complications were recorded. Clinical photographs, radiographs, and/or computerized tomography scans from the literature were analyzed using Angle’s classification, cephalometrics, and facial profile angles. The most recent orthognathic outcomes of our 3 facial transplant patients are also presented. RESULTS: The worldwide experience consists of 45 face transplantations; 25 patients received allografts containing maxilla or mandible, and 16 (64%) involved double jaw. All documented patients had ≥1 dental/occlusal complication: temporomandibular joint ankylosis (9/25, 36%), dental caries and extractions (32%), palatal fistula (28%), Angle class II malocclusion (24%), class III (12%), open bite (20%), maxillary rotation (8%), skeletal nonunion (8%), and hardware infection (4%); 28% of patients underwent revision surgeries involving LeFort I, III, or mandibular osteotomies. Imaging conducive to Angle, cephalometric, or facial profile angle analysis was available in 100% (7) of reported maxilla and 63% (10) of double jaw transplants. The majority of maxilla-only transplants had insufficient teeth, whereas soft tissue profile was most commonly class II. Double jaws were equally Angle class I, II, or III, but mostly class I or class III with regard to facial angle profile. All of our patients have received maxilla and/or mandible, and all have required dental extractions. Angle classification, cephalometrics, and facial profile angles vary across our patients, whereas class III soft tissue facial profile seems to predominate. CONCLUSION: Dental and orthognathic complications remain extremely common but underreported after facial allotransplantation involving either single or double jaw composites. In fact, every documented face transplant has ≥1 occlusal or skeletal defect. The risk of malocclusion increases with simultaneous transplantation of maxilla and mandible and often necessitates revision surgery in this unique population. Craniofacial principles and advanced surgical planning should be utilized to achieve facial balance. Additionally, we must standardize the way in which face transplant patients are presented in the literature.

Source: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open

DOI: 10.1097/01.gox.0000584576.48658.ff