Robot-assisted placement of craniofacial implants.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to improve and accelerate the rehabilitation process for patients with severe ear microtia with an implant-anchored auricular prosthesis. A medically approved robot system was used to place the craniofacial implants and a new process was developed for preoperative fabrication of the prosthesis using a rapid prototyping technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Preoperatively, after computerized tomography, the implant positions were determined in a planning tool according to bone availability and esthetic considerations. Intraoperatively, the robot showed the surgeon the planned implant positions and guided the placement procedure.

RESULTS:

The accuracy measurements showed that with this robot system, absolute implant position accuracy of approximately -0.5 +/- 0.4 mm, a relative accuracy between the implants of approximately 0.2 +/- 0.5 mm, and a deviation from the parallel position of approximately 0.6 +/- 0.5 degrees were achieved. Thirty implants were placed in 13 patients with robot assistance with no intraoperative injuries.

DISCUSSION:

This technique made it possible to apply the preoperatively fabricated auricular prosthesis directly after surgery.

CONCLUSION:

From this experience it can be concluded that the robot system and the new manufacturing concept for anaplastology can be applied advantageously in other areas of the head as well.

• Authors: Martin Klein, Andreas Hein, Tim Lueth, Jürgen Bier
• Journal: The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants (Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants) 2003 Sep-Oct Vol. 18 Issue 5 Pg. 712-8 ISSN: 0882-2786 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14579960 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Silicone Elastomers
• Polymethyl Methacrylate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Ear, External (abnormalities)
• Esthetics
• Humans
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
• Magnetics (instrumentation)
• Mastoid (surgery)
• Middle Aged
• Patient Care Planning
• Polymethyl Methacrylate
• Prostheses and Implants
• Prosthesis Design
• Prosthesis Implantation
• Robotics (instrumentation, methods)
• Silicone Elastomers
• Surgery, Computer-Assisted (instrumentation, methods)
• Time Factors
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed