title: Computer-assisted navigation: its role in intraoperatively accurate mandibular reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article presents our experiences of computer-assisted navigation in mandibular reconstruction and evaluates its effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients who underwent navigation-guided mandibular reconstruction with a fibula free flap were reviewed. Under intraoperative navigation, the ideal positions of the mandibular angles and condyles were confirmed by the navigation probe. The surgical results were evaluated through postoperative panoramic radiographs, coronal computed tomography scans, and image fusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Navigation-guided mandibular reconstructions were successfully completed on the basis of preoperative planning and simulation. The surgical discrepancy in the mandibular angle between the actual surgical results and the preoperative designs was 1.92 ± 0.97 mm. Panoramic radiographs and coronal computed tomography scans illustrated that all the condyles fitted into their glenoid fossae. All patients were satisfied with their functional and aesthetic outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer-assisted navigation is a viable technology for improving surgical outcomes in mandibular reconstruction, which can assist the surgeons by providing real-time three-dimensional surgical references during the operation.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Science, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jinyang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Professor and chairman, Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Science, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Steve Guofang
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Science, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Science, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: leinnymd@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Shilei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome