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Craniomaxillofacial surgery is one of the most challenging disciplines with the characteristics of complex surgical procedures, significant risk, and the necessity for multi-disciplinary collaboration. It encompasses the treatment of craniomaxillofacial appearance abnormalities caused by various congenital and acquired factors. Compared with Western developed countries, craniomaxillofacial surgery in China started comparatively late. Craniomaxillofacial surgery including craniomaxillofacial congenital malformation, trauma, tumor, orthognathic surgery, and craniomaxillofacial cosmetic surgery gradually maturing over the past 40 years since the late 1970s. In 2023, the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council jointly issued an outline to promote overall high-quality development including the medical and health industry. Against the backdrop of the Chinese medical insurance system, economic condition, and popularization of medical knowledge, achieving high-quality development in craniomaxillofacial surgery still faces numerous challenges. This paper provides an overview of the history, current state, challenges, and future prospects of craniomaxillofacial surgery in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mandibular reconstruction, computer-assisted procedures, including virtual surgical planning (VSP) and additive manufacturing (AM), have become an integral part of routine clinical practice. Especially complex cases with extensive defects after ablative tumor surgery benefit from a computer-assisted approach. Various CAD/CAM-manufactured tools such as surgical guides (guides for osteotomy, resection and predrilling) support the transition from virtual planning to surgery. Patient-specific implants (PSIs) are of particular value as they facilitate both osteosynthesis and the positioning of bone elements. Computer-based approaches may be associated with higher accuracy, efficiency, and superior patient outcomes. However, certain limitations should be considered, such as additional costs or restricted availability. In the future, automation of the planning process and augmented reality techniques, as well as MRI as a non-ionizing imaging modality, have the potential to further improve the digital workflow.

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.

Study Design: Descriptive study (review containing bibliometric analyses). Objective: Since the inception of three-dimensional printing (3DP), various studies have been conducted worldwide to investigate the utilization of 3DP in craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgery. Analyzing the current state of global research in medical 3DP in CMF surgery is a crucial first step in identifying knowledge gaps and focusing research resources on pressing problems that have not yet been addressed. Therefore, the current study was designed to present a comprehensive review of scientific research data to discover trends in the last 30 years of global research on 3DP in CMF surgery. Methods: All publications from 1994 until 14 February 2023 were retrieved from the core collection of Web of Science using a defined search. Detailed bibliographic data for all retrieved publications were collected. The bibliometric analysis was performed using VOS viewer, Histcite, and Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 1367 evaluable articles were retrieved. Results showed that although there is an exponential increase in the number of publications related to 3DP in CMF surgery, there is a substantial regionalization of research, with the U.S.A. and China being the most significant contributors to the retrieved articles. It was also observed that there is a scarcity of published literature related to bioprinting in CMF surgery. Conclusion: This is the first study that specifically analyzed the published literature concerning 3DP in CMF surgery in a structured quantitative manner. The study found a concentration of research in specific geographies and indicated a need for more diversified research in this field. The study also identified a need for public sector involvement in such research to aid in the further dissemination of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium and stainless steel are commonly known as osteosynthesis materials with high strength and good biocompatibility. However, they have the big disadvantage that a second operation for hardware removal is necessary. Although resorbable systems made of polymers or magnesium are increasingly used, they show some severe adverse foreign body reactions or unsatisfying degradation behavior. Therefore, we started to investigate molybdenum as a potential new biodegradable material for osteosynthesis in craniomaxillofacial surgery. To characterize molybdenum as a biocompatible material, we performed in vitro assays in accordance with ISO Norm 10993-5. In four different experimental setups, we showed that pure molybdenum and molybdenum rhenium alloys do not lead to cytotoxicity in human and mouse fibroblasts. We also examined the degradation behavior of molybdenum by carrying out long-term immersion tests (up to 6 months) with molybdenum sheet metal. We showed that molybdenum has sufficient mechanical stability over at least 6 months for implants on the one hand and is subject to very uniform degradation on the other. The results of our experiments are very promising for the development of new resorbable osteosynthesis materials for craniomaxillofacial surgery based on molybdenum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to build a surgical navigation system based on mixed reality (MR) and optical positioning technique and evaluate its clinical applicability in craniomaxillofacial trauma bone reconstruction. Methods We first integrated the software and hardware platforms of the MR-based surgical navigation system and explored the system workflow. The systematic error, target registration error, and osteotomy application error of the system were then analyzed via 3D printed skull model experiment. The feasibility of the MR-based surgical navigation system in craniomaxillofacial trauma bone reconstruction was verified via zygomatico-maxillary complex (ZMC) reduction experiment of the skull model and preliminary clinical study. Results The system error of this MR-based surgical navigation system was 1.23 mm±0.52 mm, the target registration error was 2.83 mm±1.18 mm, and the osteotomy application error was 3.13 mm±1.66 mm. Virtual surgical planning and the reduction of the ZMC model were successfully conducted. In addition, with the guidance of the MR-based navigation system, the frontal bone defect was successfully reconstructed, and the clinical outcome was satisfactory. Conclusion The MR-based surgical navigation system has its advantages in virtual reality fusion effect and dynamic navigation stability. It provides a new method for doctor-patient communications, education, preoperative planning, and intraoperative navigation in craniomaxillofacial surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Navigation surgery plays an important role in modern craniomaxillofacial surgery; however, its application to the mandible is more challenging. Although some reports have revealed feasibility of using the splint for mandibular navigation surgery, the accuracy and applicability of this method has not yet been clarified. Here, we report our evaluation of a splint integrated with a reference array and registration fiducial markers for mandibular navigation. Open- and closed-position splints were manufactured using five artificial skulls. The splints were set on each skull, and computed tomography (CT) scans were acquired. Using the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine data, CT-based planning involved the registration and numbering of the position of accuracy evaluation markers and registration fiducial markers. The planning data were then transferred to the Kick navigation system to evaluate the registration accuracy of the splint. The overall mean target registration errors (TREs) on the mandible of the open- and closed-position splints were 0.76 ± 0.35 and 0.75 ± 0.26 mm, respectively. The mean TREs of the operative and non-operative sides were 0.69 ± 0.22 and 0.87 ± 0.28 mm, respectively (p < 0.001). Mandibular navigation using a custom-made splint has high accuracy within the range of the entire semi-lateral mandible on the operative side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Computer-assisted techniques play an important role in craniomaxillofacial surgery. As segmentation of three-dimensional medical imaging represents a cornerstone for these procedures, the present study was aiming at investigating a deep learning approach for automated segmentation of head CT scans. Methods: The deep learning approach of this study was based on the patchwork toolbox, using a multiscale stack of 3D convolutional neural networks. The images were split into nested patches using a fixed 3D matrix size with decreasing physical size in a pyramid format of four scale depths. Manual segmentation of 18 craniomaxillofacial structures was performed in 20 CT scans, of which 15 were used for the training of the deep learning network and five were used for validation of the results of automated segmentation. Segmentation accuracy was evaluated by Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), surface DSC, 95% Hausdorff distance (95HD) and average symmetric surface distance (ASSD). Results: Mean for DSC was 0.81 ± 0.13 (range: 0.61 [mental foramen] – 0.98 [mandible]). Mean Surface DSC was 0.94 ± 0.06 (range: 0.87 [mental foramen] – 0.99 [mandible]), with values > 0.9 for all structures but the mental foramen. Mean 95HD was 1.93 ± 2.05 mm (range: 1.00 [mandible] – 4.12 mm [maxillary sinus]) and for ASSD, a mean of 0.42 ± 0.44 mm (range: 0.09 [mandible] – 1.19 mm [mental foramen]) was found, with values < 1 mm for all structures but the mental foramen. Conclusion: In this study, high accuracy of automated segmentation of a variety of craniomaxillofacial structures could be demonstrated, suggesting this approach to be suitable for the incorporation into a computer-assisted craniomaxillofacial surgery workflow. The small amount of training data required and the flexibility of an open source-based network architecture enable a broad variety of clinical and research applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) and nasal landmark detection are fundamental components in computer-assisted surgery. Medical landmark detection method includes regression-based and heatmap-based methods, and heatmap-based methods are among the main methodology branches. The method relies on high-resolution (HR) features containing more location information to reduce the network error caused by sub-pixel location. Previous studies extracted HR patches around each landmark from downsampling images via object detection and subsequently input them into the network to obtain HR features. Complex multistage tasks affect accuracy. The network error caused by downsampling and upsampling operations during training, which interpolates low-resolution features to generate HR features or predicted heatmap, is still significant. We propose standard super-resolution landmark detection networks (SRLD-Net) and super-resolution UNet (SR-UNet) to reduce network error effectively. SRLD-Net used Pyramid pooling block, Pyramid fusion block and super-resolution fusion block to combine global prior knowledge and multi-scale local features, similarly, SR-UNet adopts Pyramid pooling block and super-resolution block. They can obviously improve representation learning ability of our proposed methods. Then the super-resolution upsampling layer is utilized to generate detail predicted heatmap. Our proposed networks were compared to state-of-the-art methods using the craniomaxillofacial, nasal, and mandibular molar datasets, demonstrating better performance. The mean errors of 18 CMF, 6 nasal and 14 mandibular landmarks are 1.39 ± 1.04, 1.31 ± 1.09, 2.01 ± 4.33 mm. These results indicate that the super-resolution methods have great potential in medical landmark detection tasks. This paper provides two effective heatmap-based landmark detection networks and the code is released in https://github.com/Runshi-Zhang/SRLD-Net., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None Declared., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction The greater palatine canal (GPC) holds significant clinical importance due to its role in providing access to the branches of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Anatomical variations within this posterior maxillary region can complicate the surgical anatomy, making the identification of vital structures challenging. Therefore, a thorough understanding of both normal anatomy and common anatomical variations of the GPC is essential to minimize perioperative complications during surgical procedures. This study aims to investigate the bony architecture of the GPC in dry bones to identify anatomical variations and address significant lacunae in our current understanding of this structure. Despite its impact on the management of various dental and surgical procedures, there remains a limited and sometimes inconsistent knowledge of the normal and variant anatomy of the GPC. Existing literature often lacks comprehensive detail regarding the range of anatomical variations and their implications for surgical approaches. By systematically documenting these variations, this study aims to bridge these gaps in knowledge, justify the need for continued research in this area, and highlight its potential clinical implications. Materials and methods In total, 30 dried and intact adult skull specimens were selected, consisting of 19 males (63.3%) and 11 females (36.7%). The selection criteria included an intact hard palate with fully erupted third molars and an intact lateral nasal wall on both sides. The presence of erupted third molars was used to assess the degree of bone resorption, ensuring that only specimens with minimal bone loss were included. The exclusion criteria ruled out specimens with major craniofacial deformities, excessive bone resorption, and signs of advanced age. The bony walls of the GPC were observed by passing a black wire made of rubber material with a consistent diameter (approximately 5 mm), allowing us to qualitatively assess the bore of the canal. Results In four out of 30 specimens (13.3%), significant variations were noted in the bony medial wall of the GPC. Of these, three specimens were male (75%) and one was female (25%). These variations have been categorized into four distinct types for clarity and analysis. Type 1, in a male specimen, showed a deficiency in the lower segment of the bony medial wall of the left GPC above the greater palatine foramen. Type 2, in a male specimen, had a small bar of bone in the left GPC midway between the foramen and the pterygopalatine fossa. Type 3, in a female specimen, exhibited a small bar of bone above the greater palatine foramen on the right side, with no wall above it. Type 4, in a male specimen, displayed a bar of bone above the greater palatine foramen on the right side, with the medial wall completely absent on the left side. Conclusion The study identified anatomical variations in the bony architecture of the GPC based on dry bone specimens. While these findings offer insights into potential variations that could affect surgical procedures, their clinical implications need validation through patient-based studies. Understanding these variations is crucial for improving preoperative planning and reducing surgical risks, but recommendations should be cautious given the limited sample size. Further research with larger samples and clinical validation is needed to fully understand the embryological basis and potential impact on surgical practice., Competing Interests: Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Hafeez et al.)

The coronal incision represents the cornerstone for the treatment of upper-third maxillofacial pathologies. However, this approach leaves long scars that in numerous patients, it can cause extensive surrounding alopecia and sensory skin deficits. This clinical evidence prompted the a uthors to propose a full pretrichial incision, the crown incision, in order to overcome these drawbacks. A retrospective study was performed to investigate and report the aesthetic and functional outcomes of 15 patients treated with this new approach. In the postoperative period, no major or minor complications were detected. The aesthetic evaluation of the scar by the operator and the patient showed overlapping results. The overall rating was 2.93 for the patient and 2.87 for the surgeon, on a scale from 0 (as normal skin) to 10 (very different from normal skin). The recovery of sensitivity in the innervation territories of the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves was found to be complete in 14 patients. In one case, the sharp/blunt discriminative sensitivity was absent in all three points assessed. This study showed the crown incision to be a safe approach with an optimal recovery of scalp sensitivity and excellent aesthetic results even in bald patients. Therefore, it can be considered a valid aesthetic and effective alternative to the classic coronal approach and should form part of the craniomaxillofacial surgical armamentarium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep circumflex iliac artery perforator flap with iliac crest (DCIAPF) is considered a favourable single-flap option for oromandibular reconstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of venous superdrainage using the superficial circumflex iliac vein (SCIV) in the DCIAPF for oromandibular reconstruction. The data of 22 patients (12 female, 10 male) aged 10–76 years (median 53 years) who underwent simultaneous oromandibular reconstruction with a DCIAPF were reviewed retrospectively. Eleven patients received the DCIAPF with SCIV for superdrainage (group A) and another 11 patients received the conventional single-pedicled DCIAPF flap (group B). No flap loss occurred in either group. Venous congestion due to relative venous insufficiency was significantly more frequent in group B (P = 0.045). There was no significant difference in the incidence of partial flap necrosis and wound dehiscence, or in the total operation time between the two groups. Superdrainage using the SCIV has the potential to reduce the incidence of venous congestion due to relative venous insufficiency in DCIAPF used for oromandibular reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: Maxillary cancers are rare and aggressive tumors, which can spread beyond the sinus bony walls. Preoperative assessment of infiltration of maxillary sinus floor (MSF) is paramount for surgical planning, as palatomaxillary demolition significantly impacts patients' quality of life. This study investigates the challenges involved in the preoperative and intraoperative evaluation of MSF infiltration and analyzes its prognostic relevance. Study Design: Retrospective case series. Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated for sinonasal malignancies at a single Institution was performed. Patients receiving surgical‐based treatment with curative intent for primary maxillary sinus cancers, between January 2000 and November 2019, were included. Results: A cohort of 118 patients was analyzed. By comparing intraoperative findings (endoscopic assessment and frozen sections) with preoperative radiological assessment, diagnostic changes with regard to MSF infiltration were found in 27.1% (32/118 cases). MSF infiltration negatively affected the prognosis in both univariate and multivariate analyses in the overall population. In the subgroup of pT1‐T3 tumors, MSF infiltration was significantly associated with reduced overall (P =.012), disease‐free (P =.011), and distant recurrence‐free (P =.002) survival rates. Conversely, pT classification was not able to stratify patients according to prognosis, mainly because early‐staged cancers (pT1‐T2) with MSF infiltration showed reduced survival rates, similar to those observed in pT3 cancers. Conclusions: Preoperative imaging should be integrated with intraoperative findings based on endoscopic inspection and frozen sections. Future studies are required to investigate the opportunity to incorporate MSF infiltration in the TNM staging system, considering its crucial role in defining the extent of surgery and its potential as prognosticator. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 132:26–35, 2022 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Providing accurate 3‐dimensional virtual bone surface models is a prerequisite for virtual surgical planning and additive manufacturing in craniomaxillofacial surgery. For this purpose, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be a radiation‐free alternative to computed tomography (CT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the geometric accuracy of 3‐dimensional T1‐weighted MRI‐derived virtual bone surface models of the mandible in comparison to CT and CBCT. Materials and methods: Specimens of the mandible from porcine cadavers were scanned with (1) a 3‐dimensional T1‐weighted MRI sequence (0.6 mm isotropic voxel) optimized for bone imaging, (2) CT, and (3) CBCT. Cortical mandibular structures (n = 10) were segmented using semiautomated and manual techniques. Imaging‐based virtual 3‐dimensional models were aligned with a high‐resolution optical 3‐dimensional surface scan of the dissected bone (=ground truth) and global geometric deviations were calculated (mean surface distance [MSD]/root‐mean‐square distance [RMSD]). Agreement between the imaging modalities was assessed by equivalence testing and Bland–Altman analysis. Results: Intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement was on a high level for all modalities. Global geometric deviations (MSD/RMSD) between optical scans and imaging modalities were 0.225 ± 0.020 mm/0.345 ± 0.074 mm for CT, 0.280 ± 0.067 mm/0.371 ± 0.074 mm for MRI, and 0.352 ± 0.076 mm/0.454 ± 0.071 mm for CBCT. All imaging modalities were statistically equivalent within an equivalence margin of ±0.3 mm, and Bland–Altman analysis indicated high agreement as well. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the accuracy and reliability of MRI‐derived virtual 3‐dimensional bone surface models is equal to CT and CBCT. MRI may be considered as a reliable alternative to CT and CBCT in computer‐assisted craniomaxillofacial surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable fillers has become increasingly widespread in facial recontouring and rejuvenation. We report our experiences to emphasize the role of HA fillers as tools beyond aesthetic treatments in cases of post-surgical facial sequelae. HA fillers are generally used for aesthetic rejuvenation, but one potential new horizon could be their application in trauma, reconstructive, and craniofacial surgery. This study was conducted retrospectively, evaluating medical reports of patients treated at the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, for lip incompetence, trauma, oncological, reconstructive, and craniosynostosis surgery sequelae. Visual analog scale (VAS) evaluation was performed to assess patient satisfaction. No major complications (i.e., impending necrosis or visual loss) were reported. Bruising and swelling was reported for 48 h after lip injection. At the immediate VAS evaluation, 67% of the patients were "extremely satisfied" and 33% "satisfied". In those 33%, VAS scores changed to "extremely satisfied" at 6–9 weeks and 3–6 months of VAS evaluation (contextually to improvement in tissue flexibility, elasticity, and aesthetic appearance). Results indicate that this minimally invasive approach achieves a high level of aesthetic enhancement, improving patient satisfaction. The concept of HA filler applications could be a frontier that may be applicable to other areas of reconstructive facial plastic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Accuracy of additively manufactured implants for clinical surgery. In craniomaxillofacial surgical procedures, an emerging practice adopts the preoperative virtual planning that uses medical imaging (computed tomography), 3D thresholding (segmentation), 3D modeling (digital design), and additive manufacturing (3D printing) for the procurement of an end-use implant. The objective of this case study was to evaluate the cumulative spatial inaccuracies arising from each step of the process chain when various computed tomography protocols and thresholding values were independently changed. A custom-made quality assurance instrument (Phantom) was used to evaluate the medical imaging error. A sus domesticus (domestic pig) head was analyzed to determine the 3D thresholding error. The 3D modeling error was estimated from the computer-aided design software. Finally, the end-use implant was used to evaluate the additive manufacturing error. The results were verified using accurate measurement instruments and techniques. A worst-case cumulative error of 1.7 mm (3.0%) was estimated for one boundary condition and 2.3 mm (4.1%) for two boundary conditions considering the maximum length (56.9 mm) of the end-use implant. Uncertainty from the clinical imaging to the end-use implant was 0.8 mm (1.4%). This study helps practitioners establish and corroborate surgical practices that are within the bounds of an appropriate accuracy for clinical treatment and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the effect of simple mandibular outer plate split on width of lower part of the face. Methods From January 2014 to December 2018, clinical data of 22 patients underwent simple mandibular outer plate split were retrospectively analyzed. Relevant data measurement and surgical design were performed by CT reconstruction before operation, and bilateral mandibular outer plates were split through intraoral approach. The CT scan was performed during the postoperative long-term follow-up. Three-dimensional reconstruction was conducted, the value of width of lower part of the face with correlation was measured and the changes were calculated. Results All patients were followed-up from 6 to 36 months. The measured values of 3 measuring lines of width of lower part of the face were lower than those before operation, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion The simple mandibular outer plate split can improve the width and contour of lower part of the face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Caldwell-Luc (CL) approach with a sublabial incision is used to manipulate the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus. Paresthesia is one of the major complications associated with the CL approach. We developed a new method, "direct approach to the anterior and lateral part of the maxillary sinus with an endoscope" (DALMA), that negates the need for a sublabial incision and minimizes dental paresthesia by reducing the risk of anterior superior alveolar nerve injury. This study aimed to describe how to perform the DALMA technique, and to review its effectiveness and associated complications.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients who had received DALMA.Results: Ten patients underwent DALMA. The anterior superior alveolar nerve was identified in all patients. Access to the lateral side beyond the infraorbital canal and anterior wall of the maxillary sinus was achieved.Conclusions: DALMA is a simple, effective, and minimally invasive technique that can be used as an alternative to CL with sublabial incision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the results of clinical application of nickel-titanium materials (threads, straps, bars) in children's maxillofacial surgery. The main properties of nickel-titanium alloy, comparative characteristics of "Prolene" and "Ti-Ni" threads in the treatment of wounds are given. The clinical cases and observations of using of nickel-titanium in the removal of tissue defects in the cranio-maxillofacial area in children are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In craniomaxillofacial surgical procedures, an emerging practice adopts the preoperative virtual planning that uses medical imaging (computed tomography), 3D thresholding (segmentation), 3D modeling (digital design), and additive manufacturing (3D printing) for the procurement of an end-use implant. The objective of this case study was to evaluate the cumulative spatial inaccuracies arising from each step of the process chain when various computed tomography protocols and thresholding values were independently changed. A custom-made quality assurance instrument (Phantom) was used to evaluate the medical imaging error. A sus domesticus (domestic pig) head was analyzed to determine the 3D thresholding error. The 3D modeling error was estimated from the computer-aided design software. Finally, the end-use implant was used to evaluate the additive manufacturing error. The results were verified using accurate measurement instruments and techniques. A worst-case cumulative error of 1.7 mm (3.0%) was estimated for one boundary condition and 2.3 mm (4.1%) for two boundary conditions considering the maximum length (56.9 mm) of the end-use implant. Uncertainty from the clinical imaging to the end-use implant was 0.8 mm (1.4%). This study helps practitioners establish and corroborate surgical practices that are within the bounds of an appropriate accuracy for clinical treatment and restoration.

This article discusses the development and concept of modern orthognathic surgery from four aspects: modern orthognathology must have the participation of orthodontist; modern orthognathic surgery has a wide range of disciplines and involves many disciplines; orthognathic surgery, craniofacial surgery, and craniomaxillofacial surgery have their own characteristics; whether orthognathic and craniofacial surgery can be integrated together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgery is rich in pathological diversity and broad in the ages that it treats. Moreover, the CMF skeleton is a complex confluence of sensory organs and hard and soft tissue with load-bearing demands that can change within millimeters. Computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing (AM) create extraordinary opportunities to repair the infinite array of craniomaxillofacial defects that exist because of the aforementioned circumstances. 3D printed scaffolds have the potential to serve as a comparable if not superior alternative to the " gold standard " autologous graft. In vitro and in vivo studies continue to investigate the optimal 3D printed scaffold design and composition to foster bone regeneration that is suited to the unique biological and mechanical environment of each CMF defect. Furthermore, 3D printed fixation devices serve as a patient-specific alternative to those that are available off-the-shelf with an opportunity to reduce operative time and optimize fit. Similar benefits have been found to apply to 3D printed anatomical models and surgical guides for preoperative or intraoperative use. Creation and implementation of these devices requires extensive preclinical and clinical research, novel manufacturing capabilities, and strict regulatory oversight. Researchers, manufacturers, CMF surgeons, and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working in tandem to further the development of such technology within their respective domains, all with a mutual goal to deliver safe, effective, cost-efficient, and patient-specific CMF care. This manuscript reviews FDA regulatory status, 3D printing techniques, biomaterials, and sterilization procedures suitable for 3D printed devices of the craniomaxillofacial skeleton. It also seeks to discuss recent clinical applications, economic feasibility, and future directions of this novel technology. By reviewing the current state of 3D printing in CMF surgery, we hope to gain a better understanding of its impact and in turn identify opportunities to further the development of patient-specific surgical care.

Distraction osteogenesis allows superior skeletal advancement compared to conventional surgical osteotomy. It can be considered as a reliable and predictable surgical procedure and is widely used to correct the craniomaxillofacial bone discrepancy. Nevertheless, the outcome is technically dependent and requires comprehensive peri-operative assessment, preparation, and precision in application. The objective of this study is to highlight some important technical issues in distraction osteogenesis when the technique is indicated in various craniomaxillofacial regions and at the same time to discuss the options of preventing and overcoming these technical complications based on our experience and relevant literature. Important technical issues on the application of distraction osteogenesis in 5 different craniomaxillofacial regions were selectively highlighted based on the completed cases in one centre. Potential complications and its prevention methods were documented and discussed. The 5 highlighted regions of craniomaxillofacial distraction osteogenesis were alveolar, mandibular, cleft maxilla, craniofacial and facial cleft. Technical issues and complications were mostly device related and associated with anatomical limitations and surgical technique. Nevertheless, these complications are preventable and can be appropriately managed. From the literature and our experience, the technical aspects vary according to its application in different craniomaxillofacial regions. Preventing the potential complications contribute to the success of its application. This article also discussed the concept of Ihsan application in the medical field, to achieve the best of treatment in terms of delivery and technical preparation for the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a novel measurement of cranial morphology in pre- and post-operative scaphocephalic patients to complement the cephalic index. This will better describe restoration of normal skull and head shape, further defining the nuances of the corrected skull. In this retrospective comparative study the location of the euryon on the skull was statistically significantly different in preoperative scaphocephalic patients versus non-scaphocephalic controls. This difference was resolved with surgical cranial vault remodeling, indicating restoration of a normal skull profile. Additional measurements of the location of the euryon in relation to the forehead prominence, combined with validated cephalic index measurements, can further describe postoperative outcomes in scaphocephaly. More sensitive clinical measurements such as these can aid the craniofacial surgeon in assessing outcomes in cranial vault remodeling. Further, large-scale study is needed to determine if additional anterior skull metric points may be useful in documenting skull shape restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors have no financial conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)