A Review of Three Dimensional Process Flow in Surgical Treatment Planning

Surgeons usually depend on their surgical training as well as medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) for the planning any surgical treatment process. Due to the anatomical complexity of the surgery site in head and neck region, 2D images are sometimes not sufficient to successfully analyze the structural details. In such cases a 3D printed model of the patient's anatomy enables customized preoperative planning. 3D printing technology is getting more and more attention especially in the craniofacial region. This article reviews the scope of this technology in maxillofacial surgery. 3D printing technology, also known as rapid prototyping or additive manufacturing or solid-freeform technology, was first demonstrated in the year 1986 [1]. Since then this technique has attracted significant attention, especially in maxillofacial surgery, due to the incredible ability to create complex constructs with highest possible precision. Reconstruction and rehabilitation using this technology offers precise and durable patient-specific models for various surgical applications.