Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Because of the complexity of skeleton anatomy relationship of cranio-maxillofacial region, traditional methods cannot exactly exhibit the characteristics of cranio-maxillofacial region deformities, and cannot simulate preoperative surgery. Digital model surgery technique can provide a real cranial phantom, reflect details of skull structure, and exactly solve some problems such as cranio-maxillofacial repair symmetry.
OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical application effects of individual digital surgery in reconstruction and repair of cranio-maxillofacial complex deformities.
METHODS: A total of seven patients with cranio-maxillofacial complex deformities were selected from West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University between 2008 and 2009. CT scanner was employed to scan the patient heads and faces and to obtain three-dimensional data. Through the computer aid design combined with three-dimensional reconstruction, preoperative precise diagnosis of cranio-maxillofacial anomalies and surgery simulation design were successfully performed. Meanwhile, three-dimensional bionic cranium models and individual prosthesis could be fabricated with reverse engineering and rapid prototyping techniques, which resulted in the well restoration of complex deformity.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Based on computer aid design-computer aid manufacture technique, the individual digital surgery will significantly promote the accuracy in cranio-maxillofacial plastic surgery and increase the clinical therapy effects. What’s more, it simplified the operative procedure, shorten operation time and decrease surgical risk. These suggested that individual digital surgery possesses high clinical practical value in reconstruction and repair of cranio-maxillofacial complex deformity.