Application of 3D simulation surgery to orthognathic surgery: A preliminary case study

Abstract

The orbit has a very special anatomical structure. The complex anatomical structure should be restored when we encounter the patient with orbital wall fracture. Unless these specific anatomy were reconstructed well, the patient should suffer from various complications such enophthalmos, diplopia or orbital deformity. In addition, because the patient has a his own specific orbital shape, individualized approach will be necessary. The aim of this trial is to try to restore the original orbit anatomy as possible based on the mirrored three dimensional CT images based on the computer simulation. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) data were processed for the patient and a rapid prototyping (RP) model was produced. At the same time, the uninjured side was mirrored and superimposed onto the traumatized side, to create a mirror-image of the RP model. In order to restore the missing skipped images between the cuts of CT data because of the thinness of the orbital walls, we manipulated the DICOM data for imaging the original orbital contour using the preoperatively manufactured mirror-image of the RP model. And we fabricated Titanium-Medpor to reconstruct three-dimensional orbital structure intraoperatively. This prefabricated Titanium-Medpor was then inserted onto the defected orbital wall and fixed. Three dimensional approach based on the computer simulation turned out to be very successful in this patient. Individualized approach for each patient could be an ideal way to manage the traumatic patients in near future