3d Printing in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Clinical Application, and Validation

3D printing, also called as additive manufacturing, has been extensively applied in industry, such as aero craft, architecture, automobile, defense, etc. It has later been used in dental practice. Because of advancement in computer science, imaging technology, and manufacturing, 3D printing may now be used in clinical purpose to improve the quality of care. For craniomaxillofacial surgery, the 3D printing should have its role and should be investigated for its use. This method should improve the surgical safety and accuracy, and therefore benefit patients. The Chang Gung craniofacial team has experience of using the 3D printing technology in the clinical practice. It was used to produce skull implant for skull defect, the reference for bone cutting in special cases, dental occlusal splint, as well as the positioning guides for maxillary bone. Because of the limitation in the computer software and hardware and the model manufacturing, we have experienced the time and effort consuming, user unfriendly, high cost, and insufficient accuracy. These problems should be able to solve by the gradual improvement of hardware, software, and 3D printers. In the near future, 3D printing will commonly be used to assist clinical treatment. We are exploring how this 3D printing could be conveniently and effectively applied in the craniomaxillofacial surgery. Orthognathic surgery is now the most common procedure in Chang Gung Craniofacial Center, and we will use this surgery as the main theme. In the 3-year project, we shall establish standard operative procedures for designing and manufacturing 3D models, translating this technology to clinical application, and to assess its outcome.

Project ID:PC10701-0978
External Project ID:MOST106-2314-B182-027-MY2