J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  1998 Dec;25(8):1459-1467.

Epitec system: an indirect osseointegration for the ear prosthesis anchorage

• Han K
• Kim J
• Son D
• Choi D

Abstract

Osseointegrated alloplastic ear reconstruction has revolutionized ear prosthetic retention. In this report, we evaluate the results of indirect osseointegration using the Epitec system and discuss the degree of the most serious side effect of this system, the adverse skin reactions close to osseointegrated implant post. During a three year period, Osseointegrated prosthetic ear reconstruction was performed to twenty eight patients with microtia(n = 25) and traumatic ear loss(n = 3), 22 males and 6 females aged from 6 to 43 years(mean 18.2 years). The patients, including 12 children, were treated with 58 titanium implant posts of Epitec system. These were inserted into a 3-dimensional carrier-plate which were fixed to the mastoid process with 7 to 12(mean 9.2) screws. Each patient was operated in a one-stage procedure. Two months of osseointegration of the screws was followed by fabrication of the ear prostheses. All implants were stable after follow-up at 20 to 31 months(mean 24.6 months). Fifty four of the 58 implants showed no sign of skin reactions (93.1 percent: 83.3 percent for children; 100 percent for adult). Hypertrophy of soft tissue surrounding the implants were observed only in children(2 out of 12 treated children) and did not recur after subcutaneous reduction and compressive dressing.In adults, the results of the Epitec system are very satisfactory. Use of the Epitec system in children is also promising because hypertrophy of soft tissue surrounding the implants are successfully managed. In addition, the 3-dimensional carrier-plate is well osseointegrated with bone screws and stability of the carrier-plate is reinforced by osseous covering of the thin bars of the carrier-plate by appositional bone growth of the skull.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bone Development
Bone Screws
Child
Ear*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hypertrophy
Male
Mastoid
Osseointegration*
Prostheses and Implants*
Skin
Skull
Titanium
Titanium