Information Technologies in Complex Reconstructive Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

The data presented by the Ministry of Public Health of Russia over the past 10 years show that the incidence of the malignant tumours in the population has been increasing by 1,5% annually. Unfortunately, more than 62% of oral cavity tumours were only revealed at the III and IV stages of disease. In these cases, surgical treatment is of critical importance. The operations performed at these stages result in significant defects of the maxillofacial region, their correction being an extremely complicated task. The utilization of the microvascular grafts enables the surgeon to close these defects to a great extent. The growing requirements to the patient’s life quality in the postoperative period makes the surgeon search for new instruments to enhance the precision of planning and performing of the operations. The development of informational diagnostic devices and methods of high-technology cure of patients enhance the potentialities of the new approaches in processing the patient’s data for planning the treatment with the use of the modern information systems: computer simulation and additive technologies. The article describes the use of information technologies for the preparation and planning of complex maxillofacial reconstructions. The use of 3D medical images (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging), computer-aided design and additive technologies allows you to create detailed anatomical computer models and their physical prototypes. The surgeon can use these models to plan treatment, custom design and manufacture implants, and evaluate outcomes.