Abstract:

Objective

To evaluate the clinical application of individual artificial bone fabrication with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology in the reconstruction of maxillofacial bone defects.

Methods

Six patients with maxillofacial bone defect were observed between March 2005 and August 2010， 4 underwent reconstruction of orbital wall defects， 1 underwent reconstruction of zygomatic bone and maxillary bone defects and 1 underwent repair of hemifacial microsomia. All patients took preoperative computer tomography scan， then with computer-aided design software， rapid prototyping technology for artificial bone fabrication by manufacturers with composite materials， and series of procedures， finally got the three-dimensional maxillofacial model and artificial bone fitted to the defects. Three patients combined with skin and soft tissue defects were repaired with skin flaps simultaneously or latterly.

Results

All fabrications could fixed to the defect areas quickly and precisely， and all wounds healed well without any complications， except one who healed by second intention with debridement and suturing which undergone intraoral incision and resulted in part of wound dehiscence.

Conclusion

With composite artificial bones and combined with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology， reconstruction of maxillofacial bone defect can be obtained easily， quickly and effectively with good result and few complications.

Key words: Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, Maxillofacial bone defect, Plastic and reconstructive surgery