Evaluation of Using 3D Printed PEEK Facial Implants in Repairing Maxillofacial Deformities

Objective: Evaluation of using 3D printed polyether ether ketone facial implants in repairing maxillofacial deformities. Research materials and methods: The research sample consisted of 10 patients with facial deformities (maxillofacial trauma patients with hard tissue deficiencies, tumor patients who had previous facial surgery, patients have retrognathia, congenital malformation, patients with hemifacial microsomia - bone loss as a result of a mucormycotic infection or black fungus ) Between 2020 and 2021 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Tishreen University Hospital - Latakia - Syria. All patients underwent Computed Tomography (CT) scans under the condition of providing a large number of slices (more than 200 slices) per axis, and the thickness of each slice is less than 1 mm with 64-bit resolution, Then the design of the required facial implant was carried out in coordination between the designer and the surgical team. The final form of the facial implant was printed from PolyEther Ether Ketone (PEEK), and then surgical work was performed for patients under general anaesthetic according to the appropriate surgical entrance. The implants were fixed in place using titanium screws and the patients were given appropriate pharmacological coverage .