Impact of the Craniofacial Surgery Simulation in Anterior Plagiocephaly on Orbits and Oculomotor Muscles: Biomechanical Analysis With a Finite Element Model.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to show the displacements and strain induced by the supraorbital band advancement during a craniofacial surgery for an anterior plagiocephaly on the orbital bones and the orbital content thanks to a numerical surgical simulation using the finite element method.

METHODS

A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of a child with an anterior plagiocephaly was entirely created from a tomodensitometry of a patient followed by our Craniofacial Pediatric team. Data of the tomodensitometry were computed with Slicer 3D to re-create the orbit geometry. Mesh production, properties of the model, and simulations of the fronto-orbital advancement were conducted on Hyperworks software (Altair Engineering, Inc., Detroit, MI, USA).

RESULTS

The resulting 3D Finite Element Model was used to perform the supraorbital advancement simulation. Displacement and strain patterns were studied for orbital bones, oculomotor muscles, and eyeballs. Relative high strain in the both trochlear area and excycloration of the right orbit are among the most interesting results as torsional strabismus as V-pattern strabismus are often described in children with an anterior plagiocephaly.

CONCLUSIONS

This pediatric Finite-Element Model of both orbits of a child with an anterior plagiocephaly showed the impact of the fronto-orbital advancement on the oculomotor system. This model described the relationship between the craniofacial surgery and the strabismus in the unilateral coronal synostosis. The advantages of this model are the many opportunities for improvement, including postoperative period and additional surgical procedures.