Nicolai Adolphs: Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Navigation, Surgical Robotics, University Hospital Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: nicolai.adolphs@charite.de.
Ernst-Johannes Haberl: Pediatric Neurosurgery, University Hospital Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Weichen Liu: Clinical Navigation, Surgical Robotics, University Hospital Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Erwin Keeve: Clinical Navigation, Surgical Robotics, University Hospital Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Horst Menneking: Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Navigation, Surgical Robotics, University Hospital Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Bodo Hoffmeister: Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Navigation, Surgical Robotics, University Hospital Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Contemporary computer-assisted surgery systems more and more allow for virtual simulation of even complex surgical procedures with increasingly realistic predictions. Preoperative workflows are established and different commercially software solutions are available. Potential and feasibility of virtual craniomaxillofacial surgery as an additional planning tool was assessed retrospectively by comparing predictions and surgical results. Since 2006 virtual simulation has been performed in selected patient cases affected by complex craniomaxillofacial disorders (n = 8) in addition to standard surgical planning based on patient specific 3d-models. Virtual planning could be performed for all levels of the craniomaxillofacial framework within a reasonable preoperative workflow. Simulation of even complex skeletal displacements corresponded well with the real surgical result and soft tissue simulation proved to be helpful. In combination with classic 3d-models showing the underlying skeletal pathology virtual simulation improved planning and transfer of craniomaxillofacial corrections. Additional work and expenses may be justified by increased possibilities of visualisation, information, instruction and documentation in selected craniomaxillofacial procedures.
