Implications of Applying New Technology in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Facial Plastic Surgery

Abstract

The field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery is privy to a myriad of technological advancements. As innovation in areas such as imaging, computer applications, and biomaterials progresses at breakneck speed, the potential for clinical application is endless. This review of recent progress in the implementation of new technologies in facial plastic surgery highlights some of the most innovative and impactful developments in the past few years of literature. Patient-specific surgical modeling has become the gold standard for oncologic and posttraumatic reconstructive surgery, with demonstrated improvements in operative times, restoration of anatomical structure, and patient satisfaction. Similarly, reductions in revision rates with improvements in learner technical proficiency have been noted with the use of patient-specific models in free flap reconstruction. In the cosmetic realm, simulation-based rhinoplasty implants have drastically reduced operative times while concurrently raising patient postoperative ratings of cosmetic appearance. Intraoperative imaging has also seen recent expansion in its adoption driven largely by reports of eradication of postoperative imaging and secondary—often complicated—revision reconstructions. A burgeoning area likely to deliver many advances in years to come is the integration of bioprinting into reconstructive surgery. Although yet to clearly make the translational leap, the implications of easily generatable induced pluripotent stem cells in replacing autologous, cadaveric, or synthetic tissues in surgical reconstruction are remarkable.

3D Facial Plastic Surgery Simulation: Based on the Structured Light

“…Several systems have been proposed for presenting to patients and surgeons the possible outcomes of the surgical procedure [3][4][5][6][7]. Compared with the acquisition of 2D images, the acquisition efficiency of 3D scanning is higher.…”

Design and Validation of a 3D Printed Cranio-Facial Simulator: A Novel Tool for Surgical Education

“…4,5,7,[9][10][11] The use of 3D-printed, patient-specific skull models has become standard practice in craniofacial surgery to improve patient education and counseling, to conceptualize unique anatomy and for the production of customized implants and intraoperative cutting guides. [12][13][14][15][16][17] In fabrication of procedural simulators, 3D printed models of key anatomic structures are segmented and printed for manipulation. Hard materials such as bone are the structures best duplicated with current 3D printing technology, but advances in high-end printing platforms now allow printing of soft tissues.…”

“…4,5,7,9–11 The use of 3D-printed, patient-specific skull models has become standard practice in craniofacial surgery to improve patient education and counseling, to conceptualize unique anatomy and for the production of customized implants and intraoperative cutting guides. 12–17…”