Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2025
Designing CAD/CAM Surgical Guides for Maxillary Reconstruction Using an In-house Approach
Published on: August 24, 2018
Virtual surgical planning for maxillary reconstruction with the scapular free flap: An evaluation of a simple cutting
Khanh Linh Tran1, Jae Young Kwon1, Xi Yao Gui1
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Background:
The study's objective is to assess the feasibility and utility of VSP for maxillary reconstruction with the scapular free flap.
Methods:
An open-source VSP platform was used to create the reconstruction models and simple guides. Clinical, operative, and postoperative data were collected.
Results:
Ten patients in the VSP cohort and 18 in the non-VSP control cohort were included in the study. There was a significant reduction in operative time (256.0 ± 69.4 vs. 448.1 ± 108.2 min, p < 0.01), tracheotomy rate (20% vs. 72%, p < 0.01), increased two-team utilization rate (80% vs. 0%, p < 0.01) and better reconstructive accuracy (7.5 ± 3.4 vs. 11.7 ± 7.6 mm, p = 0.048) for the VSP cohort.
Conclusions:
Maxillary reconstruction planned with an in-house open-source VSP platform and accompanied simple guides can facilitate a two-team approach, reduce operative time, and improve structural accuracy. This open-source technology has great potential to be readily applied in other institutions to improve efficiency and outcomes.
