Does intraoperative navigation improve the accuracy of mandibular angle osteotomy: comparison between augmented reality navigation, individualised templates, and free-hand techniques

Publication date: Available online 11 April 2018
Source:Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Author(s): Ming Zhu, Fei Liu, Chaozheng Zhou, Li Lin, Yan Zhang, Gang Chai, Le Xie, Fazhi Qi, Qingfeng Li
BackgroundAugmented reality (AR)-based navigation surgery has evolved to be an advanced assisted technology. The aim of this study is to manifest the accuracy of AR navigation for the intraoperative mandibular angle osteotomy by comparing the navigation with other interventional techniques.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted with 93 post-surgical patients with mandibular angle hypertrophy admitted at our plastic and reconstructive surgery department between September 2011 and June 2016. Thirty-one patients received the osteotomy conducted by navigation system based on augmented reality (AR group), 28 patients were received osteotomy conducted by the individualised templates (IT group), and the remaining 34 patients received osteotomy performed by free hand (free-hand group). The postoperative computed tomography (CT) images were reviewed and analysed by comparing with presurgical planning generated by three-dimensional (3D) software. The preparation time, cutting time, whole operating time, and discrepancy of osteotomy lines were measured.ResultsThe preparation time was much shorter in the free-hand group compared with the AR group and the IT group (P<0.01). However, no significant difference in the whole operating time was observed among the three groups (P>0.05). In addition, the discrepancy of osteotomy lines was lower in the AR group and in the IT group than in the free-hand group (P<0.01).Conclusionhe navigation system based on AR has higher accuracy, more reliability, and better user friendliness for some particular clinical procedures than for other techniques, which has a promising clinical prospect.