Reconstruction of a Hemirhinectomy Defect Using a Three-Dimensional Printed Custom Soft Tissue Cutting Guide

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Medical Technology
• 3D Printing Applications

Background:

• The 3-stage paramedian forehead flap is standard for nasal defects.
• Achieving consistent results requires significant surgeon expertise.
• Challenging reconstructions, like hemirhinectomy defects, demand precise techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce virtual surgical planning and 3D printing for forehead flap design.
• To create patient-specific cutting guides for improved nasal reconstruction.
• To enhance the accessibility and consistency of complex forehead flap surgeries.

Main Methods:

• Utilized virtual surgical planning (VSP) software.
• Employed 3D printing to fabricate patient-specific soft tissue cutting guides.
• Applied these guides in the design of forehead flaps for hemirhinectomy reconstruction.

Main Results:

• Successfully designed patient-specific cutting guides using VSP and 3D printing.
• Demonstrated the potential for improved precision in forehead flap design.
• Indicated a promising approach for challenging nasal reconstruction cases.

Conclusions:

• Virtual surgical planning and 3D printing offer a novel solution for forehead flap reconstruction.
• This technology can standardize and improve outcomes in complex nasal defect repairs.
• The approach has the potential to make advanced reconstructive techniques more accessible.