Fabrication of three-dimensionally printed polylactic acid nasal stent prosthesis for postnasal reconstruction using extraoral scanning and photogrammetry techniques: A report on two patients

Severe and combined nasal defects associated with trauma or neoplasm excision can cause significant functional and esthetic problems. To avoid nasal synechia following reconstructive surgeries, a nasal stent prosthesis is required to act as an internal scaffold to support the graft and residual tissues. The purpose of the stent is to maintain internal airway patency and to prevent collapse and contracture of the donor tissues. A conventional nasal stent prosthesis has disadvantages, including the difficulty in maintaining adequate thickness and internal patency during fabrication. Hence, this clinical report introduces the fabrication technique for 3-dimensionally printed polylactic acid nasal stent prostheses using extraoral scanning and photogrammetry methods.