Use of prototyping in preoperative planning for patients with head and neck tumors.
BACKGROUND
Prototyping technologies for reconstructions consist of obtaining a 3-dimensional model of the object of interest. Solid models are constructed by the deposition of materials in successive layers. The purpose of this study was to perform a double-blind, randomized, prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of prototype use in head and neck surgeries.


METHODS
Thirty-seven cases were randomized into prototype and nonprototype groups. The following factors were recorded: the time of plate and locking screw apposition, flap size, time for reconstruction, and an aesthetic evaluation.


RESULTS
The prototype group exhibited a reduced surgical time (43.7 minutes vs 127.7 minutes, respectively; p = .001), a tendency to reduce the size of the bone flap taken for reconstruction, and better aesthetic results than the group that was not prototyped.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of prototyping demonstrated a trend toward a reduced surgical time, smaller bone flaps, and better aesthetic results.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Terence Pires
TP
de Farias
Fernando Luiz
FL
Dias
Mário Sérgio
MS
Galvão
Edson
E
Boasquevisque
Ana Carolina
AC
Pastl
Bruno
B
Albuquerque Sousa
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D061646:Operative Time; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
head and neck tumors; mandibular reconstruction; microsurgery reconstruction; prototyping medical models; rapid prototyping