Utility of Digital Surgical Simulation Planning and Solid Free Form Modeling in Fibula Free Flap Mandibular Reconstruction

• Author / Creator

  Logan, Heather Anne

• The purpose of the present study was to contribute to the growing body of knowledge and technical understanding of surgical design and simulation in fibula free flap mandibular reconstruction (FFFMR). The current study provided three key findings. (1) There was no statistically significant difference amongst the three CBCT machine warming times. There was, however, a statistically significant difference between Computerized Tomography (CT) scanning with 1mm slice thickness and CBCT scanning with 0.2mm slice thickness. (2) The convergent interview was an effective technique in collecting information about the perception of clinicians on the utility of virtual surgical planning and medical models in FFFMR. (3) Superimposed images produced in CAD software tools were helpful and effective in comparing pre and post-surgical outcomes, although there were a number of limitations in the programs. The exploratory benchtop study revealed that virtual surgical planning appeared to improve surgical performance and enhance consistency in accuracy.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Mandibular Reconstruction
  • Surgical Design and Simulation
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • CT
  • CBCT
  • Medical Models
  • Fibula Free Flap
  • Convergent Interview
  • Digital Surgical Simulation

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R35M62F9W

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.