Computer-assisted therapy in orbital and mid-facial reconstructions

Background Management of orbital and mid-facial fractures requires a thorough ophthalmic evaluation and precise imaging. A principle goal of therapy is to anatomically reduce fracture segments and to restore a normal orbital volume as soon as possible. Diagnostic advances such as new surgical and imaging techniques have dramatically improved both the functional and aesthetic outcome of reconstructions. Methods Orbital reconstruction is performed using computer-assisted navigation. This technique makes preoperative simulation by mirroring the unaffected side onto the affected side. Results Results from computer-assisted navigation application to both primary and secondary orbital and mid-facial reconstruction are shown. Conclusion Navigation technique it offers significant advantages in both primary and secondary reconstructions. Navigation facilitates reconstruction in unilateral defects through mirroring techniques, and in bilateral defects by importing virtual models from standard CT datasets improving the software tool to fulfil the need for maxillofacial surgery reconstruction. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.