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Maxillofacial reconstruction using in‐house virtual surgical planning
Author(s) -
Smithers Fiona A. E.,
Cheng Kai,
Jayaram Rahul,
Mukherjee Payal,
Clark Jonathan R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.14353
Subject(s) - medicine , fibula , surgical planning , surgery , process (computing) , resection , mandible (arthropod mouthpart) , orthodontics , medical physics , computer science , tibia , botany , biology , genus , operating system
Background Mandibular and maxillary reconstruction using fibula free transfer is common in many tertiary referral centres. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is a relatively recent adjunct that allows surgeons to plan resection and reconstruction prior to theatre. This has been shown to reduce operative times and decrease surgeon stress intraoperatively. VSP requires technicians with the appropriate skill set and required materials, software and technology, which is accompanied by a cost that may be prohibitive. Usually, this is outsourced to an external company. We present a preliminary case series of VSP in maxillofacial reconstruction done using our own staff without external resources. Methods Six patients underwent mandible ( n = 5) or maxillary ( n = 1) reconstruction with a fibula free flap using in‐house VSP. The cases ranged from relatively simple to complex. We present our steps in the planning process and application of this technique. Results and conclusion In‐house VSP is a feasible process with low cost and turnaround time, making surgery more efficient.