Computer‐aided surgery using 3D rendering of maxillofacial pathology and trauma

Abstract

Technological advances in the field of robotics and computer-assisted surgery continue to revolutionize medicine and surgery. The specialty of maxillofacial surgery has benefited from this advancement. One of the areas of the specialty where this advancement has made significant contributions is in the management of complex soft tissue and bony pathological conditions. Equally significant benefits have also been seen in the reconstruction of traumatic facial defects. Reviews of the literature and retrospective cases from the University of Florida College of Medicine at Jacksonville were undertaken. An update on the current use of three-dimensional (3D) imaging of maxillofacial pathology and a report of a case example are presented. The use of computer-aided rendering of 3D images of the disease process or defects allows for the surgeon to manipulate the information in the preoperative setting to aid in the planning of the surgery. This preoperative planning is, in effect, a simulation of the planned surgery. This paper reviews one of the commonly used methods of integrating computer-aided surgery in the daily practice of maxillofacial surgery. The advantages as well as the drawbacks of this technique are reviewed.