Computer-assisted versus traditional freehand technique for mandibular reconstruction with free vascularized fibular...

This study aimed to perform a surgery-related and patient-related outcome analysis of a case-matched series of patients treated with computer-assisted surgery (CAS) and traditional freehand surgery.

A total of 153 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction by VFF were included from Jan 1999 to Dec 2019. The mandibular resection and reconstruction were performed by four experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Reasons for reconstruction were oncologic, osteoradionecrosis, trauma, and osteoporosis. All the patients were followed up postoperatively for at least 1 year. Eighteen pairs were formed with the matched cohort consisting of a total of 36 patients who underwent primary mandibular reconstruction without additional combined flaps. The surgery-related and patient-related continuous and categorical parameters were assessed in both groups.

The average operation time and bleeding volume in the CAS group were less than those in the non-CAS group. Additionally, both hospitalization and ICU days were lower in the CAS group without any significant difference. The only significant finding related to surgical parameters was observed for the ischemia time, which was lower in the CAS group.

Computer-assisted surgery indicated improved efficiency considering reduced ischemia time, operation time, and length of hospital stay with lower early complications than that of conventional surgical procedures. It can thus be considered as an optimized alternative to the freehand approach.