The Impact of 3D Technology in Optimizing Midface Fracture Treatment-Focus on the Zygomatic Bone

Does a Point-of-Care 3-Dimensional Printer Result in a Decreased Length of Surgery for Orbital Fractures?

BACKGROUND

Utilization of point-of-care 3-dimensional printing (3DP) has decreased length of surgery in facial trauma. Little is known regarding 3DP's impact on length of surgery in orbital fracture.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare length of surgery between 3DP/preadapted (3DPPA) orbital plates and intraoperative adapted plates (IOAP) for orbital fracture reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE

This was a prospective, non-blinded, randomized clinical study of consecutive subjects with orbital fractures presented to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, between January 2018 and June 2021. Subjects ≥ 18 years, unilateral fracture, no previous orbital surgery, and/or congenital craniofacial anomaly were included. We excluded subjects <18 years and bilateral fractures.

PREDICTOR/EXPOSURE/INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

Primary predictor variable was the treatment approach. Randomization software was used, and subjects were randomized to 3DPPA or IOAP groups.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE(S)

Primary outcome variable was length of surgery in minutes. Secondary outcomes were the time required for plate insertion and fixation in minutes, operating room (OR) charges, and orbital volume (OV) calculation.

COVARIATES

Age, sex, race, etiology, laterality, location, dimension, indication for surgery, postoperative enophthalmos, and diplopia.

ANALYSES

Univariate and bivariate analyses were calculated. Statistical significance was P < .05.

RESULTS

Twenty-five subjects met the inclusion criteria. Mean ages in 3DPPA and conventional IOAP groups were 41.5 (±9) and 38.2 (±10, P = .31), respectively. The mean length of surgery was 32.6 (±13.7) in 3DPPA and 53.3 (±12.8, P < .001) in conventional IOAP. The mean time required for plate insertion and fixation was 15.8n (±14.4) in 3DPPA and 41.4 (±9.4, P < .001) in conventional IOAP. The mean OR charges were $1,072.5 (±524.6) in 3DPPA and $1,757.3 (±422.6, P ≤ 0.001) in conventional IOAP. The mean calculated OV of uninjured and reconstructed orbit for the 3DPPA was 23.5 (±3.2)cm3 and 23 (±3.5, P = .37)cm3, respectively. The mean calculated OV of uninjured and reconstructed orbit for conventional IOAP was 28.6 (±3.6)cm3 and 22.8 (±2.6, P < .001)cm3, respectively.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Using 3DP to produce a model that enables preoperative plate bending/adaptation reduces the length of surgery, decreases OR charges, and results in predictable OV.

Three-dimensional measurements of symmetry for the mandibular ramus

BACKGROUND

The study examines a sample of patients presenting for viscerocranial computer tomography that does not display any apparent signs of asymmetry, assesses the three-dimensional congruency of the mandibular ramus, and focuses on differences in age and gender.

METHODS

This cross-sectional cohort study screened viscerocranial CT data of patients without deformation or developmental anomalies. Segmentations were obtained from the left and right sides and superimposed according to the best-fit alignment. Comparisons were made to evaluate three-dimensional congruency and compared between subgroups according to age and gender.

RESULTS

Two hundred and sixty-eight patients were screened, and one hundred patients met the inclusion criteria. There were no statistical differences between the left and right sides of the mandibular ramus. Also, there were no differences between the subgroups. The overall root mean square was 0.75 ± 0.15 mm, and the mean absolute distance from the mean was 0.54 ± 0.10 mm.

CONCLUSION

The mean difference was less than one millimetre, far below the two-millimetre distance described in the literature that defines relative symmetry. Our study population displays a high degree of three-dimensional congruency. Our findings help to understand that there is sufficient three-dimensional congruency of the mandibular ramus, thus contributing to facilitating CAD-CAM-based procedures based on symmetry for this specific anatomic structure.

Role of Three-Dimensional Printing in Treatment Planning for Orthognathic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Three-dimensional (3D) printing refers to a wide range of additive manufacturing processes that enable the construction of structures and models. It has been rapidly adopted for a variety of surgical applications, including the printing of patient-specific anatomical models, implants and prostheses, external fixators and splints, as well as surgical instrumentation and cutting guides. In comparison to traditional methods, 3D-printed models and surgical guides offer a deeper understanding of intricate maxillofacial structures and spatial relationships. This review article examines the utilization of 3D printing in orthognathic surgery, particularly in the context of treatment planning. It discusses how 3D printing has revolutionized this sector by providing enhanced visualization, precise surgical planning, reduction in operating time, and improved patient communication. Various databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Medline, were searched with relevant keywords. A total of 410 articles were retrieved, of which 71 were included in this study. This article concludes that the utilization of 3D printing in the treatment planning of orthognathic surgery offers a wide range of advantages, such as increased patient satisfaction and improved functional and aesthetic outcomes.

[Options for reconstruction after injuries in the head and neck region]

Reconstruction of lesions in the head and neck region must be both functionally and esthetically adequate, as the exposed anatomic position can easily lead to social stigmatization after injury. Distortion of symmetry, e.g., by a crooked nose, enophthalmos, or a (partial) amputation of the outer ear, is easily visible. On the other hand, limitations to nasal breathing and olfaction or diplopia may significantly reduce quality of life, and restoration of form and function continues to be challenging. This review discusses the treatment options for trauma of the external nose and the lateral midface, including the orbital floor and the auricle.

Comparing the effectiveness of 3D printing technology in the treatment of clavicular fracture between surgeons with different experiences

PURPOSE

This study aims to examine the use of 3D printing technology to treat clavicular fractures by skilled and inexperienced surgeons.

METHODS

A total of 80 patients with clavicle fractures (from February 2017 to May 2021) were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided randomly into four groups: group A: Patients underwent low-dose CT scans, and 3D models were printed before inexperienced surgeons performed surgeries; group B: Standard-dose CT were taken, and 3D models were printed before experienced surgeons performed surgeries; group C and D: Standard-dose CT scans were taken in both groups, and the operations were performed differently by inexperienced (group C) and experienced (group D) surgeons. This study documented the operation time, blood loss, incision length, and the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found in age, gender, fracture site, and fracture type (P value: 0.23-0.88). Group A showed shorter incision length and fewer intraoperative fluoroscopy times than groups C and D (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in blood loss volume, incision length, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times between group A and group B (P value range: 0.11-0.28). The operation time of group A was no longer than those of groups C and D (P value range: 0.11 and 0.24).

CONCLUSION

The surgical effectiveness of inexperienced surgeons who applied 3D printing technology before clavicular fracture operation was better than those of inexperienced and experienced surgeons who did not use preoperative 3D printing technology.

[Current developments in primary and secondary surgical treatment of midface and periorbital trauma]

Fractures of the periorbita and the midface are among the most common bony facial injuries. Aesthetic and functional reconstruction is a challenge in clinical routine. This article illustrates recent developments in the primary and secondary surgical treatment of midface and periorbital trauma. Resorbable patches and films increase the anatomic reconstructive capacity and enable treatment of extensive orbital fractures. Orbital fractures with involvement of supporting key structures are advantageously reconstructed using patient-specific implants (PSI), which are fabricated by computer-assisted manufacturing techniques and positioned by intraoperative navigation. If late complications such as bulbar malposition and enophthalmos have occurred after the initial procedure, they can be addressed by overcorrective restoration of orbital volume. The use of PSI for initial fracture restoration of the midface is not yet established but may be useful in re-osteotomies of misconsolidated fragments. Extensive midface defects with significant soft tissue involvement can be reconstructed using microvascular grafts. Consecutive reconstructive procedures may include orthognathic surgery and local flap reconstruction. In summary, the integration and advancement of computer-assisted techniques now offers individualized reconstruction procedures, which may be a viable alternative to conventional implants and compression miniplates. Future developments may focus on the search for innovative biomaterials, which can be integrated into computer-aided design and manufacturing processes.

Application of optimized three-dimensional digital surgical guide plates for complex midfacial fractures

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of midfacial fractures is always difficult. The purpose of this study was to verify whether optimized three-dimensional (3D) digital surgical guide plates combined with preformed titanium plates improved the treatment effect in complex midfacial fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients with complex midfacial fractures were recruited and randomized into three groups: ten for Group A, eight for Group B, and eight for Group C. Group A was treated with a combination of preformed titanium plates and optimized 3D digital surgical guide plates. Group B was treated with preformed titanium plates only. Group C was treated conventionally. Clinical effects, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), midfacial contour, facial symmetry, surgical accuracy, △orbital volume (the absolute value of the bilateral orbital volume difference), and maximum deviation were evaluated in each of the three groups.

RESULTS

Group A had the best postoperative clinical effects and patient-reported outcomes. Significant improvements in midfacial contour (L1[0.72±0.29 mm, P = 0.001], L2[1.04±0.46 mm, P < 0.001]), facial symmetry (S1[0.71±0.30 mm, P < 0.001], S2[0.96±0.58 mm, P < 0.001], S3[0.86±0.40 mm, P < 0.001], S5[0.81±0.16 mm, P = 0.003], S8[0.95±0.30 mm, P < 0.001], S9[1.03±0.38 mm, P < 0.001], S11[0.64±0.46 mm, P < 0.001]) and surgical accuracy (M1[R, 0.82±0.31 mm, P < 0.001], M2[R, 0.87±0.44 mm, P < 0.001], M3[L, 0.88±0.22 mm, P = 0.004], M3[R, 1.06±0.31 mm, P = 0.003], M4[L, 0.96±0.45 mm, P = 0.008], M4[R, 1.11±0.57 mm, P = 0.003], M5[R, 0.76±0.26 mm, P < 0.001], M6[L, 1.00±0.46 mm, P = 0.003], M6[R, 1.00±0.58 mm, P = 0.001], M7[0.87±0.53 mm, P = 0.001], M8[R, 0.91±0.53 mm, P < 0.001], M9[R, 0.81±0.32 mm, P = 0.010], M10[R, 1.19±0.42 mm, P = 0.009], M11[L, 0.85±0.51 mm, P = 0.021], M11[R, 0.96±0.49 mm, P = 0.003]) were found in Group A compared with the other two groups. The results of △orbital volume and maximum deviation analysis showed an ideal surgical treatment effect in Group A.

CONCLUSION

Optimized 3D digital guide plates can accurately locate preformed titanium plates and effectively improve the treatment effect in complex midfacial fractures.

3D Printing and Virtual Surgical Planning in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, additive manufacturing and 3D printing stand out in their ability to rapidly fabricate complex structures and precise geometries. The growing need for products with different designs, purposes and materials led to the development of 3D printing, serving as a driving force for the 4th industrial revolution and digitization of manufacturing. 3D printing has had a global impact on healthcare, with patient-customized implants now replacing generic implantable medical devices. This revolution has had a particularly significant impact on oral and maxillofacial surgery, where surgeons rely on precision medicine in everyday practice. Trauma, orthognathic surgery and total joint replacement therapy represent several examples of treatments improved by 3D technologies. The widespread and rapid implementation of 3D technologies in clinical settings has led to the development of point-of-care treatment facilities with in-house infrastructure, enabling surgical teams to participate in the 3D design and manufacturing of devices. 3D technologies have had a tremendous impact on clinical outcomes and on the way clinicians approach treatment planning. The current review offers our perspective on the implementation of 3D-based technologies in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, while indicating major clinical applications. Moreover, the current report outlines the 3D printing point-of-care concept in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.