Stereolithographic (medical rapid prototyping) biomodeling allows three-dimensional computed tomography to be used to generate solid plastic replicas of anatomic structures. Reports in the literature suggest that such biomodels may have a use in maxillofacial surgery, craniofacial surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, otology, vascular, and nasal research. A prospective trial to assess the usefulness of biomodeling in orthognathic surgery has been performed. In 12 patients with mandibular prognathism and/or maxillary retrusion, in addition to routine preoperative cephalometric analysis, preoperative high-resolution (cutting slice thickness of 1 mm) three-dimensional computed tomography scan of the patients was obtained. Raw data obtained from computed tomography scanning was processed with a Mimics 9.22 Software (Materialise's Interactive Medical Image Control System, Belgium). Fabrication of three-dimensional medical models was obtained through a process called powder depositional modeling by use of a Spectrum Z 510 3D Color Printer (Z Corporation, Burlington, MA). Alveolar arches of the maxilla and mandibula of the models were replaced with orthodontic dental cast models. Temporomandibular joints of the models were fixed with Kirschner wire. Maxillary and mandibular bony segments were mobilized according to preoperative orthodontic planning done by analysis of cephalometric plain radiographs. The relation between proximal and distal mandibular segments after bilateral sagittal split osteotomies were evaluated on models preoperatively. The same surgeon had a role in both model cutting preoperatively and as an instructor preoperatively. The same bony relation was observed both in preoperative modelsand in the perioperative surgical field in all patients. Condylar malpositioning was not observed in any of the patients. Studying preoperative planned movements of osteotomized bone segments and observing relations of osteotomized segments of mandibula and maxilla in orthognathic surgery increased the intraoperative accuracy. Limitations of this technology were manufacturing time and cost.

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Surgical procedures for correction of craniofacial deformities resulted in unavoidable and extensive blood loss in small children and infants. Almost all of the patients undergoing these procedures will undergo a blood transfusion either during or immediately after the operation. A retrospective review of 30 patients who underwent craniofacial surgery was performed in this study to determine the magnitude of transfusion required for craniofacial surgery, document transfusion morbidity, and identify variables associated with the transfusion. The mean estimated blood loss was 566.8 mL, the mean intraoperative transfusion was 394.8 mL, the mean postoperative transfusion was 103.2 mL, and the mean total transfusion was 505 mL. The mean operative time was 450 minutes, the mean preoperative hemoglobin and the mean postoperative hemoglobin before hospital discharge were 11.6 g/dL and 10.3 g/dL, respectively. Craniofacial surgical procedures involve extensive scalp dissection and calvarial and facial bone osteotomies in patients with a low total blood volume. Every medical and surgical strategy for minimizing the need for blood transfusion should be considered.

The aim of the study was to obtain anatomic bone healing and restoration of the patient's premorbid occlusion in complex facial fractures or comminuted facial fracture. Ten patients who applied to a tertiary health care clinic with complex or comminuted fractures, and mandibular fractures combined with condylar fractures which may impair the occlusal harmony were included in the study.After the preparation of premorbid occlusal splints and direct bonded orthodontic brackets, splint-assisted reduction and internal fixation have been performed. The treatment protocol was completed with 4 to 6 weeks of intermaxillary fixation over the splint. All fracture lines showed complete bone healing, without major complications requiring further treatment. Complications included a minor degree of malocclusion in one of the panfacial fracture patients and slight avascular resorption of the condyle in one of the avulsive open comminuted mandibular fracture patients.Using orthodontic splints and direct bonded brackets to obtain and maintain delicate reduction is an efficacious method for the prevention of occlusal disharmony and aesthetic impairments in comminuted lower facial unit and complicated facial fracture patients.

Congenital aplasia of the nasal columella is a very rare anomaly. The deformity is characterized by the isolated absence of the columella from the nasal tip to the root of the philtrum, including the medial crura of the alar cartilages; surrounding structures such as the septum, nose, and upper lip are normal. To the best of our knowledge, only four such cases have been described to date. The embryopathogenesis for this uncommon disease is presently unknown. Our report describes a 14-year-old girl with congenital agenesis of the columella as an isolated anomaly. Her family history was positive for the presence of the same congenital deformity, which also affected her older brother; there was, however, no consanguinity between the parents. The columella defect was reconstructed with an internal nasal vestibular skin flap and bilateral upper labial mucosa flaps. There are many techniques available to repair columella defects, including free grafts from the ear, local flaps from the forehead, face, upper lip, and nose, distant flaps such as tube pedicle flaps, and free flaps from the ear. Each of these techniques has advantages and disadvantages. Because of this, the treatment of columella defects should be individualized.