Clinical indication for intraoperative 3D imaging during open reduction of fractures of the mandibular angle

PURPOSE: This retrospective study investigated 3-dimensional (3D) imaging with intraoperative Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Mandibular Angle Fractures (MAF) treated by open reduction. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the image quality of intraoperative CBCT in this region and the benefit for the patients.

METHODS: 83 patients with 86 MAF were included in this study. 8 patients were female and 75 male. Patient age ranged from 11 to 68 years (average age 26.8 years). All patients were examined with the mobile CBCT scanner ARCADIS Orbic 3D (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) directly after surgical treatment of the MAF.

RESULTS: As a direct result of intraoperative CBCT four patients (5%) underwent intraoperative revision. The intraoperative acquisition of the data sets was uncomplicated and in all cases it was possible to effectively visualise and assess the MAF in 3D quality.

CONCLUSION: The results showed that intraoperative CBCT is a reliable imaging technique for real-time intraoperative assessment of treated MAF. Use of the mobile 3D CBCT scanner is easy to integrate into routine practice and offers the advantage that immediate revision surgery can be performed.