Clinical evaluation of surgical navigation system in the reconstruction of mandibular defects

Objective To compare the clinical effects of surgical navigation system and CAD/CAM surgical template in the reconstruction of mandibular defects. Methods Twenty-two patients with mandibular tumor resection and concurrent defect reconstruction were selected.Ten patients received real-time Brain LAB navigation system to position vital parts of the bone autograft after CAD/CAM surgical guide template technology (group A);12 cases received CAD/CAM surgical guide template technology (group B).Preoperative computer aided design (CAD) and intraoperative model surgery treatment were carried in both groups.After the operations,postoperative 3D CT was used to compare with preoperative design.Mandibular angle point (A) and condylar poles outside (C) was selected as key landmarks of mandibular.Geomagic studio 12.0 software was used to measure the straight-line distance of two landmarks in the preoperative design model and postoperative model (AL,CL) for performing statistical analysis.Patients were observed for facial symmetry at the time of 6 months after operation for surgical effect comparison. Results The surgery of both groups was successfully performed.The AL and CL value of A group was (1.86±0.20) mm and (2.96±0.85) mm,respectively.The matched results were analyzed with a comparative t-test,there was significant differences (P<0.05);Location of key landmarks in A group was more precise than group B,also the facial symmetry in group A was better than group B. Conclusion Compared with CAD/CAM surgical template,surgical navigation system can improve the accuracy and effects of mandibular defect reconstruction,and restore facial symmetry.