Outlines of Virtual Surgical Planning in Management of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures

Abstract

Background:  Virtual Surgical Planning is a computer-based application to analyse the anatomy or deformity, perform the surgery and simulate the outcome so as to weigh the planned procedure in terms of safety and predictability and to fabricate the necessary tool and patient-specific armamentarium to safely execute the procedure. Volumetric imaging, like CBCT, MDCT, and MRI, provides the basis data for printing a 3D model. Based on the treatment plan, 3D imaging techniques may be fused and further processed for model preparation. However, in maxillofacial surgeries, most of the cases are provided with the data obtained by CT. Rapid prototyping (RP) creates a three-dimensional model with a layer-by-layer process of adding based on 3D computer-aided design (CAD) data. This technology is also referred to as “layer production,” “solid free form production,” or “3D printing”. Maxillofacial PSIs can now be designed using preoperative imaging data as input to CAD software. The designed implant is then made using a CAM technique, such as 3D printing. The application of CAD/CAM technique also can simulate the surgery procedures accurately, which contributes to shorten the actual operative time.