Application of virtual surgical planning in the surgical treatment of osteoradionecrosis of mandible

To analyze the value of virtual surgical planning in the surgical treatment of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible and to provide a reference for clinical practice.

From September 2017 to June 2018, 13 patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis were evaluated preoperatively using the 3D virtual surgery software CMF Proplan 2.0. The surgical guide was designed and 3D printed. Bone resection, fibula shaping and bone graft localization were completed during the operation. In some cases, implants were implanted at the same time, and denture restoration was completed 3 to 6 months after surgery. Patients’ general information, perioperative data, and efficacy evaluation were analyzed.

All patients underwent surgery successfully. The survival rate of the free fibula musculocutaneous flap was 100% (13/13), and one patient had complications (partial necrosis at the edge of the flap). The follow-up period was 7 to 15 months, and the median time was 10 months. All patients achieved a healing effect. The number of cases with an increase in mouth opening ≥ 1 cm, 0.5 cm ≤ mouth opening increase < 1 cm, and mouth opening increase < 0.5 cm were 5, 6, and 2, respectively. An imaging examination showed that 12 patients had good bone healing, and 1 patient did not completely heal 7 months after operation. The denture restoration was 92.3% (12/13), of which 3 cases were implanted and repaired at the same time. The average chewing efficiency was 56.11% ± 7.12% (42.03%-67.83%).

Virtual surgical planning is an effective method for the surgical treatment of mandibular osteoradionecrosis, which can reduce the risk of surgery and more effectively perform mandibular shape and function repair.