title: Preliminary clinic study on computer assisted mandibular reconstruction: the positive role of surgical navigation technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objectives of the present study were to investigate the reliability and outcomes of computer-assisted techniques in mandibular reconstruction with a fibula flap and verify whether the surgical navigation system was feasible in mandible reconstructive surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight cases were enrolled in the computer assisted surgery (CAS) group and 14 cases in the traditional group. The shaping and fixation of the fibula grafts were guided by computer assisted techniques, which could be monitored with the BrainLAB surgical navigation system. The variation of mandible configuration was evaluated by CT measurement in the Mimics software, including the variation of length, width, height and gonial angle of the mandible. The 3D facial soft tissue alteration was also analyzed in 3D chromatogram by Geomagic software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 22 fibula flaps survived. The mandibular configurations and facial contours had a better clinic result in the CAS group. The length, width, height and gonial angle of the reconstructive mandible were more similar to the original one. The Wilcoxon rank sum test analysis suggested significant differences in the measurements. The chromatographic analysis also visually showed superiority over the traditional group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The computer assisted surgical navigation method used in mandibular reconstruction is feasible and precise for clinical application. The contour of the reconstructed mandible and facial symmetry are improved with computer techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 22# Zhongguancun South Avenue, Haidian District 100081 Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 22# Zhongguancun South Avenue, Haidian District 100081 Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 22# Zhongguancun South Avenue, Haidian District 100081 Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xu-Guang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 22# Zhongguancun South Avenue, Haidian District 100081 Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Cai
keywords: Computer assisted surgery; Fibula flap; Mandibular defect; Surgical navigation