Fabrication of a surgical template for orbital implant placement: a case report

Implant placement in orbital sites is challenging because of limited bone volume and poor bone quality. Preoperative optimal implant planning and intraoperative guides are important to ensure success. This article describes the use of computer simulation for implant insertion and fabrication of a surgical template as a drilling guide for orbital implant placement. A 29-year-old woman with a right orbital defect underwent computerized tomographic scanning, and the data were processed with interactive software to simulate orbital implant placement. A surgical template that served as a drilling guide was designed and fabricated to transfer orbital recipient site information from the three-dimensional computer model into the actual orbital implant sites. Three craniofacial implants were placed in the 7:00, 8:00, and 11:00 positions. No unexpected complications or injuries were encountered during the surgery. Magnetic abutments were attached to the implants 2 weeks later. The definitive facial prosthesis was fitted 6 months later, with excellent esthetic results. The surgical template contributed to the success of this treatment.