Computer-Assisted Surgery in Mandibular Reconstruction

Anatomic and functional reconstruction of the mandible is a challenging surgical procedure. The use of free vascularized bone flaps is currently the gold standard and the fibula flap can be considered as the work-horse flap. Transforming the long straight fibular bone into a three-dimensional structure that matches the original mandibular shape has classically been a difficult and time consuming procedure largely dependent on the surgeon’s experience. Virtual surgical planning, computer-assisted surgery, computer-aided manufacturing, and surgical navigation are new technologies that greatly facilitate these surgical procedures improving the final outcomes in terms of surgical time shortening, accuracy, and functional and aesthetic results.