Preliminary study of the impact of loss of part of the face and its prosthetic restoration

Statement of problem. Loss of a parr of the face or having a congenitally m issing ear, nose, or eye is likely to have both a social and a psychologic impact on those affected. The nature and extent of this impact has not been explored previously. The provision of facial prostheses is an increasingly viable and beneficial treatment option, but the psychologic and social adj ustment to the prosthesis has not been described. Purpose, This study performed a preliminary investigation of patients' resp onses to loss of part of thr face, and their perceptions of the prosthetic restoration of their missing facial part. Methods. Nine individuals who had experienced prosthetic replacement of an ear, nose, or eye were interviewed. Interviews were semistructured, each re spondent was interviewed individually and the interviewer followed a predet ermined interview schedule. Themes emerging in the interviews were identifi ed. Results, The main themes relating to the loss of the facial part were the i mportance of the story of the loss coping through bargaining, and the impac t of the loss on relationships. The important themes identified in regard t o the prosthesis were issues in the maintenance of the prosthesis and the r eactions of other people to the prosthesis. Conclusion. Loss of parr of the face requires great adjustment. The reactio ns of other people were marked. Provision of a facial prosthesis can assist in the process of adjustment.