Automatic planning of paediatric craniofacial deformities: new virtualfacial-symmetry operative detection

Background: The correction of craniofacial deformities is an ongoing challenge in maxillofacial surgery. However, conventional measurement methods for treatment planning are not appropriate for craniofacial surgery. Computer-assisted approaches can improve surgical outcomes. A new, non-invasive, patient-specific automatic method, proposed here, has been tested for assisting the surgeon in preoperative planning. Case Presentation: In the case reported, the described method allows effective surgery planning that led to a significant decrease in asymmetries in the orbital region. Conclusion: The multidisciplinary collaborative approach is a central element for the construction of effective personalized procedures and for the conception of new surgical approaches. The here proposed technology offers a good level of feasibility and has an achievable potential for breakthroughs in the improvement of facial deformities surgical treatment, thus representing an overwhelmingly useful tool in a clinical setting.