Three-dimensional reconstruction of a defect of the frontozygomatic area by custom made Proplast II implant

Alloplastic materials are a valid alternative to autologous bone grafts in contour defects of the facial skeleton Biomaterials also reduce donor site morbidity. In addition, alloplastic materials can be contoured exactly as n eeded. Computed tomography (CT) scan digital data can be computed into thre e-dimensional data for 1:1 stereolithographic reconstruction of the complet e skull or segments as required. The design of an implant for defect recons truction may even be computed as a mirror image of the unaffected undeforme d side. Therefore it is common to perform phantom operations on stereolitho graphically built models from the patient's head before a complex reconstru ction is done. Proplast II has an advantage over other materials, such as h ydroxyapatite, titanum, gold, silicone, and polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA), b ecause of the low weight, the fact that the material can be carved with a s harp scalpel, and the possible integration into fibrous and bone tissue. Pr oplast II is semirigid and can easily be sutured to the bony defect.