Effectiveness of a Custom-Made Temporary Obturator after Bilateral Total Maxillectomy

Abstract

Large oro-antral communication, associated with total maxillectomy, may lead speech and/or swallowing dysfunction. These surgical defects are packed with obuturator or prosthesis following surgery; however, achieving retention and stability is dependent on anatomical conditions. A 68-year-old Japanese female with large oro-antral communication arising because of bilateral total maxillectomy was referred for evaluating application of obturator. The temporary obturator was constructed as underlying 3 mm thick and covereing 1.5 - 2 mm thick ethylene vinyl acetate sheet (EVA). These two sheets formed the flexible hollow bulb portion, which aided retention and stability by engaging the undercut portion of the surgical defect. For the patients who have difficulty anatomical features for conventional prosthesis, this type of temporary obturator made with EVA sheets could be an effective solution in the early postoperative period.