PC-based virtual reality surgical simulation for orthognathic surgery

Abstract

Complex maxillofacial deformations continue to present challenges in analysis, planning and correction beyond modem technology. The purpose of this paper is to present a virtual reality environment for surgeons to perform virtual orthognathic surgical planning in three dimensions. A surgical planning system, “PC-based virtual reality surgical simulation for orthognathic surgery” (VRSSOS), consists of four major stages: CT data post-processing and reconstruction; 3D color facial soft tissue model generation; virtual osteotomy planning; and, soft-tissue-change simulation. The surgical planning and simulation are based on 3D CT reconstructed bone model, whereas the soft tissue prediction is based on color texture-mapped and individualized facial soft tissue model. Our approach is able to provide a quantitative osteotomy-simulated bone model and prediction of post-operative appearance with photo-realistic quality. The predicted appearance can be visualized from any arbitrary viewing point using a low-cost PC-based system.