PLANNING IN CRANIOFACIAL DO PROCEDURES USING SIMPLANT CMF SOFTWARE AND RAPID PROTOTYPING MODELS

Objective: Aim of this research is to define a more accurate way of planning Distraction Osteogenesis procedures in craniofacial surgery using a new software (Simplant CMF - Materialise) and Rapid Prototiping Skeletal Models. Materials & Methods: 3 pts. affected by cranio-maxillo-facial abnormalities have been submitted before surgery to CT Scan. CT data have been reconstructed in a 3D way. Utilizing Simplant CMF software osteotomies have been simulated and different distraction vectors have been simulated in a 3D virtual enviroment. At the end of each hard tissues simulation it was possible to preview the soft tissue final result. We later printed Rapid Prototiping Models from the same CT data and pre-operatively we reproduced surgery on the models and we pre-plated the distractor device in a proper way. Results: This planning procedure allows to choose the best aesthetic and functional surgical plan. In Crouzon patient it was decided to add bone graft in the nasal and orbital area, in the pre-prosthetic patient it was possible to precisely decide the distraction vector useful for the future dental implant position; in the micrognathia patient it was decided to increase the sagittal distraction movement more than the preliminary orthodontic plan for aesthetic issue. Final decision seemed to be more defined and time was saved during surgery for the pre-bending of the distractor fixation plate. Conclusions: Preliminary results bring us to conclude that Planning in Craniofacial DO procedures using Simplant CMF Software and Rapid Prototiping Models could improve the quality and the final surgical result.