HOW TO OPTIMIZE FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION BY COMPUTER-AIDED APPROACHES IN HEAD AND NECK TUMOR PATIENTS?
Dr Cheng-Hsien WU
Taipei Veteran General Hospital
National Yang Ming University
Abstract
The complex nature of the craniomaxillofacial structures challenges the surgeon’s knowledge to anatomy, experience, and the perception toward surgical outcome. In head and neck tumor patients, restoring correct facial contour is the key to ensure the functional and esthetic rehabilitation. For the rapid advance of the computational algorithm, we could plan the operation virtually by different computer-aided design tools. Subsequently, the plan is transferred into operation theatre either by surgical navigation system, prefabricated cutting / positioning guides, or the combination of both. By this approach, the operation could be executed precisely, the outcome will be more predictable, and moreover, we may conceal the surgical scar in a minimal invasive way. Nowadays, computer-aid surgery is constantly applied on traumatic, oncologic, and orthognathic cases in our institute and change the daily routine practice profoundly. In this report, I will focus on discussing the application on head and neck tumor patients.
