A Novel Precise Optical Navigation System for Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Registered With an Occlusal Splint.

BACKGROUND

An augmented reality tool allows visual tracking of real anatomical structures and superimposing virtual images, so it can be used for navigation of important structures during surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The authors have developed a new occlusal splint-based optical navigation system for craniomaxillofacial surgery. In this study, the authors aim to measure the accuracy of the system and further analyze the main factors influencing precision.

METHODS

Ten beagle dogs were selected and a three-dimensional model was established through computed tomography scanning, dental model making, and laser scanning, and then registration was performed according to the tooth marking points. The bilateral mandibular osteotomy was performed on Beagle dogs under navigation system based on the occlusal splint. The left side was taken to compare the deviation between the preoperative plan and the surgical results, and the accuracy of distance and angle and the stability of the system were analyzed.

RESULTS

The average position deviation between the preoperative design and intraoperative navigation was: 0.01 ± 0.73 mm on the lateral height of the mandibular ramus, 0.26 ± 0.57 mm on the inner height of the mandibular ramus, and 0.20 ± 0.51 mm on the osteotomy length. The average angle deviation is 0.94° ± 1.38° on the angle between the mandibular osteotomy plane and ramus plane and 0.66° ± 0.97° on the angle of the retained mandibular angle. And most of the data showed good consistency.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the accuracy of the system can meet clinical requirements and can be used as a useful tool to improve the accuracy of craniomaxillofacial surgery.