Frontal sinus models and onlay templates in osteoplastic flap surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Precise delineation of the extent of frontal sinus pneumatisation is a crucial step in osteoplastic flap frontal sinus surgery. The authors present a novel method of achieving this objective.


METHODS
First, models of the frontal area are generated using three-dimensional printing based on pre-operative computed tomography image data. These models are then used to create an onlay template of the frontal sinus, which is used intra-operatively.


RESULTS
In a series of 10 patients undergoing osteoplastic flap frontal sinus surgery, the described frontal sinus templates were consistently accurate to within 1 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
Frontal sinus templates are potentially useful adjuncts to current techniques employed to guide frontal sinus surgery.
Daniel
M
M
Otolaryngology Department, Nottingham University Hospitals, UK.
Watson
J
J
Hoskison
E
E
Sama
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010027:Osteotomy; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult