Reconstruction of the temporal contour for traumatic tissue loss using a CAD/CAM-prefabricated titanium implant-case report

Introduction: A 16-year-old Arab boy had suffered from a severe head injury including an intracranial haematoma. Despite replantation of the bone flap later on, the cosmetic result was very unfavourable due to partial resorption of the reinserted bone and atrophy of the right temporalis muscle. Aim: For contour reconstruction of both soft and hard tissues the boy was transferred from Saudi Arabia. Method: A spiral CT was obtained and the contour was reconstructed using a new algorithm for surface generation. Result: The resulting titanium implant was inserted without complications or the need for revision. The cosmetic result was good and corresponded to the preoperative digital planning. Conclusion: Techniques of computer-assisted implant prefabrication and surgery may include special algorithms for considering soft tissues including contour deficits of the temporalis muscle. (c) 2007 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.