A novel approach to skull-base and orbital osteotomies through virtual planning and navigation

Reducing the risk of tooth injury in anterior maxillary interdental osteotomy for cleft lip and palate patients using a surgical navigation technique

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical feasibility of preventing tooth injury from anterior maxillary interdental osteotomy by using a surgical navigation technique. A retrospective review was conducted on cleft lip and palate patients treated with anterior maxillary osteotomy followed by distraction osteogenesis between August 2019 and May 2022. Patients operated on through image guidance were enrolled in the navigation group, while those who were operated on freehand were enrolled in the freehand group. Tooth injuries were identified on postoperative images. Linear and angular deviations of the osteotomy line were measured. Twelve patients were enrolled in the study, seven in the navigation group and five in the freehand group. Altogether, 24 osteotomy lines and 53 adjacent teeth were evaluated. The dental injury rate was 3% in the navigation group and 27% in the freehand group (P = 0.016). The average linear deviations (mean ± standard deviation) were 0.67 ± 0.30 mm and 2.05 ± 1.33 mm, respectively (P < 0.001), while the average angular deviations were 1.67 ± 0.68° and 11.41 ± 7.46°, respectively (P < 0.001). The results suggest that navigation was able to reduce the tooth injury risk compared with freehand interdental osteotomies in crowded dental arches.

Applications of three-dimensional imaging techniques in craniomaxillofacial surgery: A literature review

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging technologies are increasingly used in craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgery, especially to enable clinicians to get an effective approach and obtain better treatment results during different preoperative and postoperative phases, namely during image acquisition and diagnosis, virtual surgical planning (VSP), actual surgery, and treatment outcome assessment. The article presents an overview of 3D imaging technologies used in the aforementioned phases of the most common CMF surgery. We searched for relevant studies on 3D imaging applications in CMF surgery published over the past 10 years in the PubMed, ProQuest (Medline), Web of Science, Science Direct, Clinical Key, and Embase databases. A total of 2094 articles were found, of which 712 were relevant. An additional 26 manually searched articles were included in the analysis. The findings of the review demonstrated that 3D imaging technology is becoming increasingly popular in clinical practice and an essential tool for plastic surgeons. This review provides information that will help researchers and clinicians consider the use of 3D imaging techniques in CMF surgery to improve the quality of surgical procedures and achieve satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Skull-Base Surgery—A Narrative Review on Current Approaches and Future Developments in Surgical Navigation

Surgical navigation technology combines patient imaging studies with intraoperative real-time data to improve surgical precision and patient outcomes. The navigation workflow can also include preoperative planning, which can reliably simulate the intended resection and reconstruction. The advantage of this approach in skull-base surgery is that it guides access into a complex three-dimensional area and orients tumors intraoperatively with regard to critical structures, such as the orbit, carotid artery and brain. This enhances a surgeon’s capabilities to preserve normal anatomy while resecting tumors with adequate margins. The aim of this narrative review is to outline the state of the art and the future directions of surgical navigation in the skull base, focusing on the advantages and pitfalls of this technique. We will also present our group experience in this field, within the frame of the current research trends.

Treatment of Skull Base Diseases: A Multidisciplinary Challenge

The skull base has always been regarded as a frontier by surgeons and radiation oncologists since it represents the interface between the intracranial and the extracranial compartment and hosts several critical anatomical structures with an extremely complex and close relationship [...].

Reduction of comminuted fractures of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus using threaded Kirschner wires and a small eyebrow incision

Background: Frontal sinus fractures are relatively rare. Their surgical management significantly differs depending on whether the posterior wall is invaded and the clinical features vary. A bicoronal incision or endoscopic approach can be used. However, the minimally invasive approach has been attracting attention, leading us to introduce a simple and effective surgical method using multiple-threaded Kirschner wires.Methods: All patients had isolated anterior wall fractures without nasofrontal duct impairment. The depth from the skin to the posterior wall was measured using computed tomography to prevent injury. The edge of the bone segment on the skin was marked, a threaded Kirschner wire was inserted into the center of the bone segment, and multiple Kirschner wires were gently reduced simultaneously.Results: Surgery was performed on 11 patients. Among them, seven patients required additional support for appropriate fracture reduction. Therefore, a periosteal elevator was used as an adjunct through a small sub-brow incision because the reduction was incomplete with the Kirschner wire alone. The reduction results were confirmed using facial bone computed tomography 1 to 3 days postoperatively. The follow-up period was 3 to 12 months.Conclusion: The patients had no complications and were satisfied with the surgical results. Here we demonstrated an easy and successful procedure to reduce a pure anterior wall frontal sinus fracture via non-invasive threaded Kirschner wire reduction.

Position of Retrosigmoid Craniotomy in Hearing Preservation Surgery for Vestibular Schwannoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical access to the internal auditory canal (IAC) fundus is a crucial aspect of the retrosigmoid approach for hearing preservation surgery in vestibular schwannoma. An appropriate positioning of the retrosigmoid craniotomy is necessary to obtain an adequate surgical corridor for full fundus exposure and labyrinth preservation.

OBJECTIVE

To describe how the position of the posterior edge of the access related to the probability of exposing the fundus and to propose novel criteria for positioning the retrosigmoid craniotomy.

METHODS

Data on fundus exposure were retrospectively collected in 33 consecutive cases of sporadic vestibular schwannoma, submitted to the retrosigmoid craniotomy in a park-bench position. Patients' computed tomography images were analyzed to calculate the position of the posterior edge of the craniotomy with reference to the fundus-labyrinth line (FLL), which starts at the fundus and, running just posterior to the labyrinth, reaches the occipital squama. A logistic regression model was used to correlate the craniotomy position with the probability of exposing the fundus.

RESULTS

The fundus exposure rate was significantly higher (P = .005) for craniotomies located posteromedially to the FLL. In a logistic regression model, the probability of exposing the fundus reached 95% for craniotomies located 11.3 mm posteromedially to the FLL.

CONCLUSION

This study showed a strong association between craniotomy position and fundus exposure rate. Our findings suggest that the posteromedial edge of the retrosigmoid craniotomy should lie approximately 11 mm posteromedially to FLL to maximize the chances of exposing the fundus.

Image-guided surgery in otolaryngology: A review of current applications and future directions in head and neck surgery

Image-guided surgery (IGS) has become a widely adopted technology in otolaryngology. Since its introduction nearly three decades ago, IGS technology has developed rapidly and improved real-time intraoperative visualization for a diverse array of clinical indications. As usability, accessibility, and clinical experiences with IGS increase, its potential applications as an adjunct in many surgical procedures continue to expand. Here, we describe the basic components of IGS and review both the current state and future directions of IGS in otolaryngology, with attention to current challenges to its application in surgery of the nonrigid upper aerodigestive tract.

Three-dimensional virtual surgical planning (3D-VSP) in orthognathic surgery: Advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls

In this article, the advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls of three-dimensional virtual surgical planning (3D-VSP) compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) planning methods in orthognathic surgery are discussed, alongside a standardised protocol that can be utilised. A skeletal Class II, skeletal Class III and an anterior open bite clinical case along with their 3D-VSP management are presented, highlighting modifications that can be made to computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) cutting guide and plate designs.

Augmented reality-enhanced navigation in endoscopic sinus surgery: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic sinus surgery represents the gold standard for surgical treatment of chronic sinus diseases. Thereby, navigation systems can be of distinct use. In our study, we tested the recently developed KARL STORZ NAV1 SinusTracker navigation software that incorporates elements of augmented reality (AR) to provide a better preoperative planning and guidance during the surgical procedure.

METHODS

One hundred patients with chronic sinus disease were operated on using either a conventional navigation software (n = 52, non-AR, control group) or a navigation software incorporating AR elements (n = 48, AR, intervention group). Incidence of postoperative complications, duration of surgery, surgeon-reported benefit from the navigation system and patient-reported postoperative rehabilitation were assessed.

RESULTS

The surgeons reported a higher benefit during surgery, used the navigation system for more surgical steps and spent longer time with preoperative image analysis when using the AR system as compared with the non-AR system. No significant differences were seen in terms of postoperative complications, target registration error, operation time and postoperative rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

The AR enhanced navigation software shows a high acceptance by sinus surgeons in different stages of surgical training and offers potential benefits during surgery without affecting the duration of the operation or the incidence of postoperative complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

1b.