Using 3D Technology in Craniosynostosis Surgical Reconstruction

Using 3D Technology in Craniosynostosis Surgery | Dr. Morin Explains

In craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery, the integration of advanced technology has been a life-changer, particularly in the treatment of craniosynostosis. This condition, characterized by the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, can lead to significant developmental issues and aesthetic concerns for patients. Thankfully, 3D technology in craniosynostosis surgery represents a significant leap forward for Dr. Morin and his team.

The Challenge of Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis presents unique challenges to surgeons. The condition affects the shape of a child’s head and can also impact brain development and function if left untreated. While traditional surgical methods have relied heavily on the surgeon’s skill and experience, with craniosynostosis images as crucial guides, these images alone cannot fully predict the complex, three-dimensional challenges encountered during surgery.

3D Technology Transforms Surgical Reconstruction

By creating detailed, three-dimensional models of a patient’s skull from CAT scans, surgeons can now plan and execute surgeries with a level of accuracy previously unimaginable. This technology allows for the visualization of the cranial structure in its entirety, including the affected sutures and the surrounding bone and tissue, and is hugely beneficial in surgical planning.

Dr. Morin’s Pediatric Patient’s Surgical Reconstruction with 3D Technology

Dr. Morin describes a compelling example of a 9-year-old patient born with right coronal craniosynostosis. The young patient’s case was complicated by a genetic bone disorder that impeded natural bone regrowth. Traditional methods of using bone from another part of the skull for reconstruction were deemed unfeasible. It was here that 3D technology proved invaluable.

A synthetic implant, known as a PEEK implant, was chosen for the surgical reconstruction. This decision was informed by a detailed 3D-printed model of the patient’s CAT scan, which was used in a virtual surgical planning meeting with the company manufacturing the implants.

The precision of 3D technology allowed for the creation of bone-cutting guides used during surgery to remove the abnormal skull sections accurately. Following this, a significant skull defect remained, which was then meticulously reconstructed using several PEEK implants. These implants, designed to perfectly match the anatomical structure of the patient’s skull, were a testament to the power of 3D technology in creating anatomically perfect synthetic implants for use in craniosynostosis surgery.

The Advantages of 3D Technology

The advantages of using 3D technology in the treatment of craniosynostosis are manifold.

• It allows for a level of pre-surgical planning that significantly reduces the risk of unexpected challenges during the procedure.
• Surgeons can simulate various strategies and outcomes, choosing the most effective course of action.
• The precision of 3D-printed models and implants ensures that the surgical reconstruction closely mimics the patient’s natural anatomy, leading to better aesthetic and functional outcomes.
• The use of synthetic implants like PEEK offers a solution for patients with conditions that limit the use of their own bone for reconstruction.
• Implants are strong, durable, and biocompatible which reduces the risk of rejection and complications.

Precise Surgical Planning

The integration of 3D technology into the surgical treatment of craniosynostosis allows for precise pre-surgical planning and the creation of custom synthetic implants. The technology has opened new doors for the surgical reconstruction of complex cranial deformities as opposed to only using craniosynostosis images. For patients like the 9-year-old with right coronal craniosynostosis, it offered hope for a normal life, free from the physical and psychological burdens of craniosynostosis.

Contact Dr. Morin to learn more about how he can offer a brighter, more confident future through medical treatment and care in Hackensack, NJ.

Using 3D Technology in Craniosynostosis Surgical Reconstruction

As a craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon, we sometimes rely on technology to get an excellent result.

Here is a case of a 9-year-old, and this is a 3D-printed model of his CAT scan. He was born with right coronal craniosynostosis which means the right coronal suture fused prematurely and resulted in the right part of his face being pulled back and not growing properly. The child underwent several surgical procedures at another hospital by other craniofacial surgeons with the result being multiple holes in his skull, which is not normal.

After a genetic analysis, we determined that he has a genetic bone disorder where the bone just doesn’t regrow properly. Initially, we were considering taking bone from the back of his skull and using that to reconstruct the holes in the front of his skull. However, because of this genetic abnormality, it wouldn’t work.

Although I generally like to reconstruct bone with bone, in this case, we’re going to have to use modern technology and what’s called a peak implant. A synthetic implant, a 3D-printed model of the patient’s CAT scan.

We did a virtual surgical planning meeting with the company that makes these plates using computer models and imaging. We of course had to tell the company where we wanted to make the cuts what bone we wanted to remove and how we wanted to reconstruct it. This allowed the company to create the model of the existing skull and provide bone-cutting guides which we use in the operating room to mark and properly cut out the abnormal skull.

During the surgery, we are going to remove parts of the skull and then reconstruct it with the use of several Peak implants. This is an example of technology being used to come up with a surgical plan and then also to create anatomically perfect synthetic implants as we will do for the reconstruction of this 9-year-old patient’s skull.