ABSTRACT
Three-dimensional (3D) stereolithic modelling has evolved to be the gold standard for planning complicated reconstruction of ablative and traumatic defects of the head and neck. The advent of new computer software has enabled the surgeon and biomedical engineers to create and use virtual surgical planning. From the virtual plans, surgical guides from the data collected and analysed are produced and used in the operating room. The power of this innovative software has enabled the surgeons to precisely evaluate the complex 3D anatomy of the defect or deformity and then plan for the alignment of the grafts for the newly constructed functional and aesthetic skeleton of the jaws, orbits or cranium. The combination of this virtual planning technology, along with the fabrication of stereolithic models, splints and custom hardware, as well as the translation of this data into computer navigation systems will increase safety and accuracy. Virtual reality is the new frontier of surgery.
