Three-dimensional measurement and registration accuracy of a third-generation optical tracking system for...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of an optical tracking system during reference point localization, measurement, and registration of skull models for navigational maxillary orthognathic surgery.

Accuracy was first evaluated on the basis of the position recording discrepancy at a static point and at 2 points of fixed lengths. Ten reference points were measured on a skull model at 7 different locations, and their measurements were compared with predicted positions by using 4 registration methods. Finally, positional tracking of reference points for simulated maxillary surgery was performed and compared with laser scan data.

The average linear measurement discrepancy was 0.28 mm, and the mean measurement discrepancy with the 5 registered cranial points was 1.53 mm. The average measurement discrepancy after maxillary surgery was 1.91 mm (for impaction) and 1.56 mm (for advancement). The registration discrepancy in jitter and point registration on the y-axis was significantly greater than on the other axes.

The optical tracking system seems clinically acceptable for precise tracking of the maxillary position during navigational orthognathic surgery, notwithstanding the chance of greater measurement error on the y-axis.