Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Malformations in Mice Using Three-dimensional Microcomputed Tomography
Published on: January 17, 2025
[The application of three-dimensional skull model in the treatment of craniofacial malformation]
Xiao-jing Liu1, Lai Gui, Zhi-yong Zhang
1Craniomaxillofacial Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing.
Objective:
This study was to construct a geometric skull model with 3-dimension scanning and rapid-prototyping (RP) technology and also to evaluate the significance and further application of surgery simulation in the treatment of complex craniomaxillofacial malformation.
Methods:
Twelve patients with complex craniomaxillofacial malformation were involved. The data obtained with CT scanning were transferred to a personal computer for surface rendering 3-dimension reconstruction. A geometric model was manufactured by selective laser sintering using rapid-prototyping device. Surgery simulation was performed both on the model and in the computer. Accordingly, a custom implant and an implant template, when needed, were constructed with the computer-aided design (CAD) and prefabricated with computer-aided manufacture (CAM) process.
Results:
Surgery simulation made the operation shorter, the complications lower and the outcome better.
Conclusions:
Skull model provides great convenience in the treatment of cranio-maxillofacial malformation.
