Objective: To assess the value of a computer-assisted three-dimensional guidance system (Virtual Patient System) in maxillofacial operations.
Design: Laboratory and open clinical study.
Setting: Teaching Hospital, Austria.
Subjects: 6 patients undergoing various procedures including removal of foreign body (n=3) and biopsy, maxillary advancement, and insertion of implants (n=1 each).
Interventions: Storage of computed tomographic (CT) pictures on an optical disc, and imposition of intraoperative video images on to these. The resulting display is shown to the surgeon on a micromonitor in his head-up display for guidance during the operations.
Main outcome measures: To improve orientation during complex or minimally invasive maxillofacial procedures and to make such operations easier and less traumatic.
Results: Successful transferral of computed navigation technology into an operation room environment and positive evaluation of the method by the surgeons involved.
Conclusions: Computer-assisted three-dimensional guidance systems have the potential for making complex or minimally invasive procedures easier to do, thereby reducing postoperative morbidity.