title: Mandibular reconstruction using plates prebent to fit rapid prototyping 3-dimensional printing models ameliorates contour deformity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, medical rapid prototyping (MRP) models, fabricated with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) techniques, have been applied to reconstructive surgery in the treatment of head and neck cancers. Here, we tested the use of preoperatively manufactured reconstruction plates, which were produced using MRP models. The clinical efficacy and esthetic outcome of using these products in mandibular reconstruction was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 28 patients with malignant oral tumors underwent unilateral segmental resection of the mandible and simultaneous mandibular reconstruction. Twelve patients were treated with prebent reconstruction plates that were molded to MRP mandibular models designed with CAD/CAM techniques and fabricated on a combined powder bed and inkjet head three-dimensional printer. The remaining 16 patients were treated using conventional reconstruction methods. The surgical and esthetic outcomes of the two groups were compared by imaging analysis using post-operative panoramic tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mandibular symmetry in patients receiving the MRP-model-based prebent plates was significantly better than that in patients receiving conventional reconstructive surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing reconstructive surgery using a prebent reconstruction plate fabricated according to an MRP mandibular model showed improved mandibular contour compared to patients undergoing conventional mandibular reconstruction. Thus, use of this new technology for mandibular reconstruction results in an improved esthetic outcome with the potential for improved quality of life for patients.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azuma
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan. ytony@md.tsukuba.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yanagawa
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishibashi-Kanno
authors.forename: Fumihiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: Takaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamagata
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tabuchi
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sekido
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bukawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed