Patient-specific reconstruction plates are the missing link in computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction: A showcase for technical description.
BACKGROUND
Preoperative planning of mandibular reconstruction has moved from mechanical simulation by dental model casts or stereolithographic models into an almost completely virtual environment. CAD/CAM applications allow a high level of accuracy by providing a custom template-assisted contouring approach for bone flaps. However, the clinical accuracy of CAD reconstruction is limited by the use of prebent reconstruction plates, an analogue step in an otherwise digital workstream.
In this paper the integration of computerized, numerically-controlled (CNC) milled, patient-specific mandibular plates (PSMP) within the virtual workflow of computer-assisted mandibular free fibula flap reconstruction is illustrated in a clinical case. Intraoperatively, the bone segments as well as the plate arms showed a very good fit. Postoperative CT imaging demonstrated close approximation of the PSMP and fibular segments, and good alignment of native mandible and fibular segments and intersegmentally. Over a follow-up period of 12 months, there was an uneventful course of healing with good bony consolidation.


CONCLUSIONS
The virtual design and automated fabrication of patient-specific mandibular reconstruction plates provide the missing link in the virtual workflow of computer-assisted mandibular free fibula flap reconstruction.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
Carl-Peter
CP
Cornelius
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
Wenko
W
Smolka
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Esthetic and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Kassel, Kassel, Germany.
Goetz A
GA
Giessler
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
Frank
F
Wilde
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Florian.Probst@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Florian A
FA
Probst
D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D005360:Fibula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000601:surgery; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D066230:Patient-Specific Modeling; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000637:transplantation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D057188:Workflow
Computer-aided design (CAD); Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM); Computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction; Craniofacial reconstruction; Patient specific Mandibular reconstruction plate (PSMP); Virtual surgery