Impact of data synthesis strategies for the classification of craniosynostosis.

Introduction: Photogrammetric surface scans provide a radiation-free option to assess and classify craniosynostosis. Due to the low prevalence of craniosynostosis and high patient restrictions, clinical data are rare. Synthetic data could support or even replace clinical data for the classification of craniosynostosis, but this has never been studied systematically.

An ex-vivo and in-vitro dynamic simulator for surgical and transcatheter mitral valve interventions.

Purpose: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) are complex procedures used to treat mitral valve (MV) pathologies, but with limited training opportunities available. To enable training, a realistic hemodynamic environment is needed. In this work we aimed to develop and validate a simulator that enables investigation of MV pathologies and their repair by MIMVS and TEER in a hemodynamic setting.

A novel approach to determining augmented bone volume in intraoral bone block augmentation using an intraoral scanner: an in vitro study.

Introduction: Bone augmentation procedures are established tools for reshaping the alveolar ridge and increasing bone volume. Different approaches are being used to measure postoperative bone volume gain. This study aimed to develop an objective and automated volume measurement tool equally as precise as manual slice-by-slice annotation.

Automated calculation of ontology-based planning proposals: An application in reconstructive oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Background: Structured modelling of surgical knowledge and its automated processing is still challenging. The aim of this work is to introduce a novel approach for automated calculation of ontology-based planning proposals in mandibular reconstruction and conduct a feasibility study.

Methods: The presented approach is composed of an RDF(S) ontology, a 3D mandible template and a calculator-optimiser algorithm to automatically calculate reconstruction proposals with fibula grafts.

Concept for the Treatment of Class III Anomalies with a Skeletally Anchored Appliance Fabricated in the CAD/CAM Process-The MIRA Appliance.

Objective: Intermaxillary elastics, anchored skeletally, represent a promising concept for treatment in adolescent patients with skeletal Class III anomalies. A challenge in existing concepts is the survival rate of the miniscrews in the mandible or the invasiveness of the bone anchors. A novel concept, the mandibular interradicular anchor (MIRA) appliance, for improving skeletal anchorage in the mandible, will be presented and discussed.

3D-2D Distance Maps Conversion Enhances Classification of Craniosynostosis.

Objective: Diagnosis of craniosynostosis using photogrammetric 3D surface scans is a promising radiation-free alternative to traditional computed tomography. We propose a 3D surface scan to 2D distance map conversion enabling the usage of the first convolutional neural networks (CNNs)-based classification of craniosynostosis. Benefits of using 2D images include preserving patient anonymity, enabling data augmentation during training, and a strong under-sampling of the 3D surface with good classification performance.

A Radiation-Free Classification Pipeline for Craniosynostosis Using Statistical Shape Modeling.

Background: Craniosynostosis is a condition caused by the premature fusion of skull sutures, leading to irregular growth patterns of the head. Three-dimensional photogrammetry is a radiation-free alternative to the diagnosis using computed tomography. While statistical shape models have been proposed to quantify head shape, no shape-model-based classification approach has been presented yet.

3D-Guided Face Manipulation of 2D Images for the Prediction of Post-Operative Outcome After Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.

Cranio-maxillofacial surgery often alters the aesthetics of the face which can be a heavy burden for patients to decide whether or not to undergo surgery. Today, physicians can predict the post-operative face using surgery planning tools to support the patient's decision-making. While these planning tools allow a simulation of the post-operative face, the facial texture must usually be captured by another 3D texture scan and subsequently mapped on the simulated face.

Knowledge Acquisition and Construction of a RDF-Ontology for Computer-Assisted Surgery.

The integration of surgical knowledge into virtual planning systems plays a key role in computer-assisted surgery. The knowledge is often implicitly contained in the implemented algorithms. However, a strict separation would be desirable for reasons of maintainability, reusability and readability.

Accuracy of 3D printing compared with milling - A multi-center analysis of try-in dentures.

Objectives: In recent years, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has been used to produce removable complete dentures. Most workflows include fabrication of milled or 3D-printed try-in prostheses. 3D-printing accuracy is affected by laboratory-specific and operator-dependent factors.

The Influence of Different Graft Designs of Intraoral Bone Blocks on Volume Gain in Bone Augmentation Procedures: An In Vitro Study.

Purpose: Intraoral bone blocks from the external oblique are the gold standard for alveolar ridge bone grafting, but the limited amount of available bone limits their use for larger defects. The objective of this study was to compare whether different graft designs of intraoral bone blocks could affect the amount of bone gain.

Materials And Methods: In this in vitro study, 20 pig jaws were used to harvest bone blocks and subsequently augment single-wall bone defects.

Image-guided percutaneous sclerotherapy of venous malformations of the head and neck: Clinical and MR-based volumetric mid-term outcome.

Objective: To report the clinical and MRI-based volumetric mid-term outcome after image guided percutaneous sclerotherapy (PS) of venous malformations (VM) of the head and neck.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed, including patients with VM of the head and neck who were treated with PS. Only patients with available pre- and post-interventional MRI were included into this study.

Wound closure and alveoplasty after preventive tooth extractions in patients with antiresorptive intake-A randomized pilot trial.

Objectives: To compare success rates between the sub-periosteal prepared (SPP) muco-periosteal flap and the epi-periosteal prepared (EPP) mucosa flap and the feasibility of alveoplasty after surgical tooth extractions in patients undergoing/after antiresorptive treatment.

Subjects: Patients with an indication for preventive tooth extraction undergoing/after antiresorptive treatment were enrolled over a 24-month period in a parallel-group randomized clinical pilot trial and randomly assigned for primary wound closure to either the SPP or the EPP group. The primary outcome was treatment failure 8 weeks after surgery.

Accuracy of laser-melted patient-specific implants in genioplasty - A three-dimensional retrospective study.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of laser-melted patient-specific implants (PSI) with regard to a preoperative virtual treatment plan for genioplasty based on a new analysis method without the use of landmarks.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective evaluation of a cohort of Class II and Class III patients who had undergone virtually planned orthognathic surgery (including genioplasty) was carried out. The preoperative virtual treatment plan and the postoperative outcome were fused to calculate the translational and rotational discrepancies between the 3D planning and the actual surgical outcome.

Accuracy of patient-specific implants and additive-manufactured surgical splints in orthognathic surgery - A three-dimensional retrospective study.

Introduction: Because of the many limitations of conventional surgery planning for the treatment of orthognathic deformities, as well as advancements in computer-assisted planning, there is an urgent need for technical devices that transfer the surgical plan into the operating theatre. In this regard, additive-manufactured, patient-specific implants (PSI) and additive-manufactured interocclusal splints represent promising approaches. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the accuracy of these two devices, with regard to preoperative virtual treatment planning for maxillary Le-Fort I advancement surgery using IPS CaseDesigner, and based on a new analysis method without the use of landmarks.

Midface correction in patients with Crouzon syndrome is Le Fort III distraction osteogenesis with a rigid external distraction device the gold standard?

Introduction: Le Fort III distraction osteogenesis with a rigid external distraction device is a powerful procedure to correct both exorbitism and impaired airways in faciocraniosynostosis. The aim of this study was to investigate treatment effect, perioperative parameters and volumetric outcomes after Le Fort III distraction osteogenesis in patients with Crouzon syndrome in a retrospective study design and to explore potential strengths and weaknesses of this procedure.

Materials And Methods: From June 2013 to February 2015, a total of nine children with Crouzon syndrome underwent Le Fort III distraction osteogenesis with a rigid external distraction device (RED device, KLS Martin, Tuttlingen, Germany).

Impact of severity and therapy onset on helmet therapy in positional plagiocephaly.

Although helmet therapy is a widely established method in the treatment of positional plagiocephaly, therapeutic regimens remain contentious, especially regarding starting age. Hence, this study investigated the impact of starting age and severity on the effectiveness of helmet therapy. A total of 213 pediatric patients treated for positional plagiocephaly with an orthotic device were enrolled in this study.

Approach to intraoperative electromagnetic navigation in orthognathic surgery: A phantom skull based trial.

Introduction: Intraoperative guidance using electromagnetic navigation is an upcoming method in maxillofacial surgery. However, due to their unwieldy structures, especially the line-of-sight problem, optical navigation devices are not used for daily orthognathic surgery. Therefore, orthognathic surgery was simulated on study phantom skulls, evaluating the accuracy and handling of a new electromagnetic tracking system.