[Application of Dextroscope virtual reality in anatomical research of the mandible part of maxillary artery].

Objective: To evaluate the application of virtual reality technology in anatomical study of the mandible part of the maxillary artery and to provide anatomical basis in case of intraoperative damage.

Methods: The experiment was divided into two groups, virtual group and corpus group, 15 cases in each group. In virtual group, images data of cadaver heads were loaded into Dextroscope workstation and dissecting of mandible part of the maxillary artery was simulated. In corpus group, actual dissecting on the cadaver heads was examined under microscope correspondingly.

Results: The distance from the maxillary artery to posterior margin of the ramus, to sigmoid notch, to apex of condyle, to the apex of the articular eminence, and the distance from the starting point of the maxillary artery to apex of condyle and the diameter of the starting point of the maxillary artery were (6.12 ± 0.78)mm, (5.29 ± 0.69)mm, (20.68 ± 0.95)mm, (4.60 ± 0.60)mm, (22.48 ± 1.18)mm, (3.74 ± 0.57)mm in corpus group and (6.22 ± 0.63)mm, (5.40 ± 0.51)mm, (20.80 ± 0.88)mm, (4.55 ± 0.56)mm, (22.70 ± 1.11)mm, (3.69 ± 0.60)mm in virtual group.

Conclusion: The data measured in virtual group was highly coincided with the data in corpus group verified by statistics. Virtual anatomy of the mandible part of the maxillary artery by virtual reality technology is reliable.