Accuracy of self-designed 3D-printed patient-specific surgical guides and fixation plates for advancement genioplasty

Abstract

Aim: A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and complications of 3D-printed patient-specific surgical guides and plates that were designed and finished in-house.

Materials and methods: Eighteen patients who required advancement genioplasty, with or without concomitant orthognathic surgery, were enrolled in the study. Virtual surgical movements were simulated using the patient's CBCT scans, and the computer-aided designing of patient-specific surgical guides and fixation plates was performed in the authors' department. CBCT scans were taken at 1-month postoperatively, and stereolithographic models of the preoperative virtual plan and the postoperative CBCT scan were registered. Part comparisons were performed to assess the accuracy of the movements. The median, minimum, and maximum differences were measured. Two landmarks, the Menton (Me) and Pogonion (Pog), were also used to compare the differences locally.

Results: The median deviation for the 18 cases was 0.19 mm. The median deviation at the Me and Pog were 0.67 and 0.41 mm, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the surgical movement of < 7 mm advancement and the transfer accuracy (P = 0.77). No adverse events or complications were reported within the postoperative 6-month period.

Conclusion: The protocol of self-designed 3D-printed patient-specific surgical guides and plates provided an accurate method to transfer the virtual surgical plan to the operating theater. (Int J Comput Dent 2022;25(4):369-0; doi: 10.3290/j.ijcd.b2599791).

Keywords: 3D printing; chin; computer planning; genioplasty; patient-specific implants; patient-specific plates.