Three dimensional virtual surgical planning for patient specific osteosynthesis and devices in oral and maxillofacial surgery. A new era.

Three dimensional virtual surgical planning (3D VSP) has become a structural component in the oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s armamentarium. Over the years, the 3D technology has increased the predictability, accuracy and speed of surgical procedures within the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS).
This thesis aimed to improve the workflows for 3D VSP, in order to further improve surgical procedures in OMFS and, to provide adequate indications for the use of 3D VSP.
In the new era of 3D VSP, optimisation is required for the following components:
1. Integration of multi-modality imaging into a single 3D VSP.
2. Systematic comparison with conventional methods, including thorough testing and validation of new 3D VSP applications.
3. Definitions of adequate indications for the use of 3D VSP.
4. Definitions of the required technical and medical expertise conforming to the implementation of 3D VSP.
This thesis addresses these components and aims to present new and validated methods for three main pillars of OMFS. It is emphasized that the new technical physician profession seems to be crucial for the translation of technological developments and innovations in each of these applications into clinical practice.

The new 3D VSP strategies delineated in this thesis for OMFS improve treatments in terms of predictability, accuracy and detailed possibilities for postoperative evaluation. This thesis optimises the workflows, systematically compares the 3D VSP methods to conventional methods and objectifies the indications for the wide, timely use of 3D VSP.