Computer-guided contouring of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia involving the zygoma using a patient-specific surgical depth guide

Abstract

The aim of this study was to introduce a new computer-guided technique for contouring and shaving of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia involving the zygoma. Computer-guided contouring was performed for five patients with unilateral craniofacial fibrous dysplasia involving the zygoma, using a patient-specific surgical depth guide. This patient-specific guide with depth holes was virtually designed for each patient based on mirroring of the unaffected side. The guide was printed using rapid prototyping. In the surgical theatre, the guide was seated in place and implant drills were inserted through the guide holes, creating depth holes according to the preoperative planning. Bone removal was then continued using surgical burs and/or bone chisels, connecting the guiding depth holes. Satisfaction with facial aesthetics was evaluated by the patients using a Likert scale, and by the surgeons using the Whitaker rating scale. All patients were satisfied with the postoperative facial aesthetics. Four patients were rated category I on the Whitaker rating scale, and one patient as category II. In conclusion, this patient-specific surgical depth guide appears to offer a solution for the unpredictability of conventional bone removal in unilateral craniofacial fibrous dysplasia, especially in three-dimensional multiplanar areas such as the zygoma. Further investigations are required.