An integrated haptic-enabled virtual reality system for orthognathic surgery planning

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Medical Simulation
• Computer-Aided Surgery

Background:

• Conventional orthognathic surgery (OGS) planning relies on manual methods like cephalometric analysis and dental casts, which are prone to inaccuracies.
• Existing computer-aided planning tools often address only specific stages and lack seamless integration into the operating room workflow.
• These limitations in traditional and current digital approaches can negatively impact post-surgery outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and evaluate a novel, integrated haptic-enabled virtual reality (VR) system for comprehensive orthognathic surgery planning.
• To assess the system's capability for automatic preoperative plan generation and clinical pre-diagnosis.
• To compare the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed VR planning method against conventional techniques.

Main Methods:

• Development of an integrated VR system incorporating CAD tools and haptic feedback for OGS planning.
• Implementation of automatic preoperative plan generation and automated clinical pre-diagnosis based on patient digital data.
• Conducting a functional evaluation using a real patient case study to compare the VR method with the traditional approach.

Main Results:

• The proposed virtual OGS planning method demonstrated feasibility and superior effectiveness compared to the traditional approach.
• The VR system significantly increased the intuitiveness of the planning process.
• The system led to a notable reduction in planning errors and overall planning time.

Conclusions:

• The integrated haptic-enabled VR system offers a practical and effective solution for orthognathic surgery planning.
• This advanced approach improves upon conventional methods by enhancing accuracy, reducing errors, and optimizing planning efficiency.
• The system's ability to provide automated diagnoses and generate preoperative plans marks a significant advancement in computer-assisted OGS.