Virtual Surgical Planning for Management of Acute Maxillofacial Trauma

A retrospective case series.

The management of acute complex maxillofacial trauma is challenging. The intricate maxillofacial anatomy coupled with the significant functional and aesthetic repercussions of traumatic facial injuries necessitate meticulous preoperative preparation and operative precision to minimize patient morbidity. The severe displacement of bone fragments, abnormal occlusion, comminution, and the involvement of multiple skeletal subsites further complicate the restoration of premorbid function and appearance. While previously recognized as a valuable tool for managing oncologic defects, orthognathic surgery, and for the correction of secondary deformities following maxillofacial trauma, virtual surgical planning (VSP) has now emerged as a viable tool for treating select patients following acute complex maxillofacial trauma.

A retrospective chart review of all the complex facial trauma patients treated using VSP services over a 21-month period.

Multiple VSP services were used in the primary repair of complex facial trauma, with occlusal splints, pre-contoured plates, and 3D printed models being utilized most frequently.

Our experience with VSP for primary maxillofacial trauma repair has helped us to identify specific indications for the use of VSP in this setting.