Orbital prosthesis
Auricular prosthesis
Nasal prosthesis
Complex facial prosthesis
Somatic epitheses and carbon masks
The orbital prosthesis recreates the eye and the orbital region. It includes an ocular prosthesis (a glass eye), eyelids with eyelashes and sometimes the eyebrow. It harmoniously blends into the face reproducing the texture and colours of the skin.
An auricular prosthesis or epithesis recreates the outer ear. It seamlessly blends into the face and reproduces the texture and colour of the skin. It allows spectacles to be worn.
Following amputation of the nasal pyramid, the nasal prosthesis helps recreate a nose. It can also include an adjoining area such as part of the cheek or the upper lip. Made with a secure support, it allows patients to breathe naturally, wear glasses and reproduces the delicacy of the surrounding skin.
A complex facial prosthesis is sometimes the only possible method of reconstruction after a large sagging of the face. The prosthesis will also allow surveillance of the site in the event of illness.
Pictured left : an example of a semi-facial prosthesis on a 3D model.
Somatic epitheses, from the Greek sôma, (body) cover all the external parts of the body pertaining to afflictions to the superficial level of the skin, for example:
- nipples
- fingers or toes
- hands or feet
- another superficial part of the body pertaining to the skin
- carbon masks
Our prostheses
What is an epithesis?
It is a silicone prosthesis which replaces a missing part of the face or body on the uppermost level of the skin.
A prosthesis may be facial or somatic. Facial prostheses concern the face and somatic epitheses are related to other parts of the body (soma).
Anaplastology is the international term covering the field of prostheses/epitheses.
We create life-like, custom-built prostheses out of medical silicone. They finely capture the texture, colour and complexion of the skin. They are soft, supple and comfortable and blend perfectly into the contours of the skin.
Prosthetic reconstruction is an alternative to reconstructive surgery. The prosthesis can be removed and allows the site to be monitored in the event of an illness. It is made on prescription and protects any open cavity. It helps the patient re-appropriate their personal identity. A prosthesis can also act as a support for glasses or a hearing aid and means patients can lead a normal life once more.
The materials used to make a prosthesis are completely harmless for the patient. Our products all comply with traceability regulations and meet all the European regulations in terms of quality and state-of-the-art techniques.
Retention methods
A variety of methods for attaching the prosthesis are proposed at our Centre depending on a number of medical, morphological and technical factors and also the patient’s preferences:
attached to implants is the standard for excellence. Once the implants have been put into place by the surgeon, the prosthesis is put in place via magnets (or clipped onto a gold bar). This is the surest method of holding the prosthesis in place. It can be easily fitted on by the patient and allows the site to be monitored;
fixed in place using adhesives is often the best solution for a temporary prosthesis since it doesn’t require a surgical operation. It is fitted into place using a biological adhesive. However, it can be difficult to put in place for older patients or those with limited dexterity and is not always recommended for fragile skins.
mounted on a spectacle frame is often a provisional solution. It can be proposed for a small orbital prosthesis on a closed cavity or for a nasal prosthesis. It is easy to put in place, but may slip leading to gapping at the edges. Its weak point: the cavity is revealed if the patient needs to handle their spectacles;
with an anatomical attachment, which can become an option in certain cases where the cavity has marked internal edges allowing for a natural, mechanical fixture.
a more complex prosthesis may sometimes require a mixed retention system combining magnets or anatomical fixtures with frames and adhesive.