RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ORBITAL SKELETON USING COMPUTER- AIDED INDIVIDUALIZED TITANIUM MESH COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL TITANIUM MESH

Abstract

Introduction: Orbital reconstruction is one of the most challenging tasks for the surgeon who treats craniofacial trauma. Suboptimal outcomes may lead to debilitating morbidity with significant emotional, functional, and occupational deficits Objectives: This study was designed to compare the efficacy of the computer-aided fabricated individual titanium mesh and conventional titanium mesh in orbital skeleton reconstruction in cases of infraorbital dysesthesia. Materials and methods: The study population included 20 patients with orbital skeleton fractures. The sample was selected conveniently to fulfill a list of inclusion criteria. The selected participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups, each group included 10 patients. In the course of a surgical treatment, individually designed titanium mesh were manufactured by application of computer- aided design in combination with rapid prototyping technologies (CAD/RP). Preoperative analysis and postoperative monitoring were conducted to evaluate their success based on restoration of infraorbital nerve function that was evaluated by pin prick test and electrical pulp testing. Results:Regarding postoperative clinical evaluation, group 1(study group) was superior to that of group 2 (control group) in restoring the function of infraorbital nerve Conclusions: computer aided titanium mesh was an accurate option in reconstructions of traumatic orbital wall fractures.