title: Importance of computer-aided design and manufacturing technology in the multidisciplinary approach to head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: Head and neck reconstruction is a multidisciplinary field, requiring communication among various surgical and dental specialists. The free fibular flap is the standard method for reconstructing large mandibular defects after benign or malignant tumor ablation. The graft has to be precisely contoured to fit the three-dimensional defect to meet the functional and aesthetic goals.Virtual surgical planning using computed tomographic imaging and computer-aided design and manufacturing technology allows the surgeons to perform virtual surgery and generates templates and cutting guides that allow for the precise and expedient recreation of the plan in the operating room. The authors describe 2 cases where virtual planning was used for the extirpative and reconstruction phases to achieve precise reconstruction and decreased time under anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Basel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sharaf
authors.forename: Jamie P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: Jairo A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bastidas
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Schiff
authors.forename: Evan S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Garfein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps