Current status and prospects of computer-assisted surgery (CAS) in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction

Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has emerged as a transformative approach for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction, significantly enhancing surgical precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes. This review outlines the current status and future prospects of CAS, with a focus on its application in mandibular and maxillary reconstruction. CAS encompasses technologies such as virtual surgical planning (VSP), computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and patient-specific plates (PSPs), which have become integral to procedures such as implant placement, orthognathic surgery, and fracture management. While Western countries have led the adoption of CAS, its implementation in Asia, including Japan, is steadily progressing and supported by innovations such as the domestically developed CAS system. Despite its advantages, CAS faces challenges, such as high costs, long preparation times, and limited intraoperative flexibility. This review highlights the clinical benefits, technological advancements, and regional developments in CAS, emphasizing the need for standardized evaluation methods, cost-effective solutions, and broader clinical integration to ensure sustainable and equitable access to advanced surgical care.