[Development and application of digital technology in craniomaxillofacial surgery]

The treatment of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) defects and deformities is highly challenging due to the complex anatomical structures, significant individual variations and high demands for personalized reconstruction. In recent decades, the integration of cutting-edge technologies from fields such as computer science, mechanical engineering, and material science into medicine has greatly facilitated the transformation of CMF surgery from traditional, experience-based approaches to digitalized and intelligent methods. This review thoroughly analyzes the development and application areas of digital technology in CMF surgery including virtual surgical planning and facial prediction, three-dimensional printing, computer-assisted navigation and robotic surgery, virtual and mixed reality, as well as big data and artificial intelligence technologies. The aim is to offer comprehensive and in-depth reference information for the clinical practice in digital CMF surgery.