Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of using a prebent titanium mesh on a 3D-printed model as an intraoperative guide to reconstruct orbito-zygomatic-maxillary complex (OZMC) fractures. Subjects and method: This is a prospective, interventional, longitudinal, single armed case series study that was carried out on twelve patients with unilateral displaced orbito-zygomatico-maxillary complex (OZMC) fracture indicated for orbital floor reconstruction as evidenced by clinical and radiographic examination. Open reduction and internal fixation were utilized to treat those fractures, patients were collected from the department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University. Post-operative evaluation: all patients underwent regular follow up for six months. The following parameters were evaluated: visual acuity, external appearance of the eye including hypoglobus and enophthalmos, diplopia, ocular motility, the aesthetic results, orbital volume, area of bone defect, layout angle, gab length and the zygomatic reconstruction.
This study was conducted on twelve patients with unilateral displaced OZMC fracture indicated for orbital floor reconstruction as evidenced by clinical and radiographic examination. The patients' ages ranged from 18-55 years old. All patients were evaluated preoperatively for collecting demographic data, taking general medical, surgical, and dental history and for determining the main patient's chief complaints and postoperative expectations. Approval for this project was obtained from Research Ethics Committee (REC) of faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University. The purpose of the present study was explained to the patients and informed consents were obtained according to the guidelines of human research adopted by the REC at Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University. After obtaining the preoperative CT scan, 3D simulation was performed using (3Diagnosys, version 4.2, 3diemme. Como, Italy) as the following steps: 1. Importing CT DICOM images. 2. Mirror image of the normal side. 3. Segmentation to remove any unwanted areas. 4. Thresholding to choose the density of bone. 5. Conversion to STL format. 6. Exporting as an STL file to the 3D printer. The 3D printer (Upbox, Tiertime, Korea) was used to print the patient specific model. The Printing material was ABS/PLA. The technology used for the printing process was FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), where a filament is heated above 200 degrees and extruded through a nozzle of 0.4 mm diameter to print layer by layer with a resolution of 100 microns. Routine preoperative investigations (complete blood picture, prothrombin test, liver \&renal function test and viral profile) were done for all patients, together with relevant medical consultation when required. The patients were operated under general anesthesia via nasal endotracheal intubation. The surgical site was disinfected using Povidone-iodine then isolated and draped with sterile dressing. Reconstruction was done carefully. All outcome measures were measured later on, and adequate statistical analysis was performed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
Zygomatico-Orbital reconstruction was done by ORIF for the zygomatic complex fractures at multiple suture lines by mini plates and screws. Orbital floor reconstruction was done mainly by using a prebent titanium mesh on a 3D printed model.
Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University
Tanta, Algharbiah, Egypt
Orbital volume
By obtaining CT scan of the face then the DICOM data was imported by BONELOGIC CMF ORBITAL software provided by Disior company which performed automated 3D analysis for the orbits preoperatively and postoperatively.
Time frame: Preoperatively. Postoperatively within two weeks after the operation.
Area of bone defect (Orbital symmetry)
By obtaining CT scan of the face then the DICOM data was imported by BONELOGIC CMF ORBITAL software provided by Disior company which performed automated 3D analysis for the orbits preoperatively and postoperatively.
Time frame: Preoperatively. Postoperatively within two weeks after the operation.
Acuraccy of Orbito-Zygomatico-maxillary complex fracture reconstruction
On a postoperative CT scan of the face adequate zygomatic reduction was judged by evaluating any involved parts from the following reference points, including zygomaticofrontal suture, zygomatico-sphenoidal suture, zygomaticomaxillary buttress, inferior orbital rim, and zygomatic arch, which was judged by two experienced surgeons as good, satisfactory or poor.
Time frame: Only postoperatively within two weeks after the operation.
Visual acuity
Measured by distance eye chart.
Time frame: Preoperative. Postoperatively 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months.
Vertical dystopia
Measured by drawing an imaginary line horizontally across the patient's inter-pupillary axis and determine if the pupil of the affected eye is in the lower level in relation to the intact eye which revealed hypoglobus.
Time frame: Preoperative. Postoperatively 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months.
Enophthalmos
Measured by the aid of exophthalmometer represented by four grades from 0 to 3 as follows: grade 0 = no enophthalmos, grade 1= mild enophthalmos (less than 1 mm), grade 2= moderate enophthalmos (ranged from 1 to 2 mm), grade 3= severe enophthalmos (over 2mm).
Time frame: Preoperative. Postoperatively 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months.
Diplopia
Assessed if it was present in the primary position of gaze, within 30° degree or in a secondary position of gaze depending on the patient response by specialized ophthalmologist.
Time frame: Preoperative. Postoperatively 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months.
Ocular motility
Tested by asking the patient to follow a moving target into the diagnostic positions of gaze observing the extent of movement of each eye. The amount of limitation of movement is classified as grade 1= slight limitation, grade 2= moderate limitation, grade 3= marked limitation or grade 4= no movement according to the observation of two independent examiners.
Time frame: Preoperative. Postoperatively 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months.
The layout angle
Measured on a postoperative CT scan of the face and defined as an acute angle between the titanium mesh and an arbitrary line representing the premorbid status of the orbital floor connecting the starting point of the orbital floor fracture to its end. This line reflects the normal bone contour and is easy to suppose from contralateral normal orbital floor.
Time frame: Only postoperatively within two weeks after the operation.
The gap length
Measured on a postoperative CT scan of the face and defined as the distance from the distal tip of the titanium mesh to the posterior bone shelf margin.
Time frame: Only postoperatively within two weeks after the operation.
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