FACIAL SURGERY

Virtual surgical planning

Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is a modern and highly accurate tool whereby digital imaging and computer software are used to plan surgical procedures and guide the manufacture of surgical cutting guides and implants. It allows highly complex procedures to be extremely precise.

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Virtual surgical planning — 3D imaging

Quick answer about this procedure

QUICK ANSWER

A digital planning technology that uses CT imaging, 3D modelling and computer software to plan surgical movements and manufacture custom cutting guides and implants. Our surgeons use VSP across orthognathic surgery, tumour surgery and facial trauma reconstruction.

Technology
Digital planning + 3D printing
Applications
Orthognathic · Tumour · Trauma
Imaging
CT or CBCT
Planning lead-time
2–6 weeks pre-surgery
Outputs
Cutting guides · custom implants
Additional cost
Quoted with the surgical plan

IS THIS FOR YOU?

VSP is usually appropriate when:

  • Orthognathic surgery involves complex 3D jaw movement
  • Tumour resection requires reconstruction with custom implants
  • Facial trauma reconstruction needs precision restoration of pre-injury anatomy
  • Cheekbone or chin augmentation will use a custom 3D-printed implant
  • Sub-millimetre surgical precision will materially improve the result
WHO PERFORMS THIS

The surgeons who perform this procedure

Both surgeons listed below perform this procedure at OMS Specialists. Each carries dual qualifications in medicine and dentistry plus Fellowship from the Royal Australasian or English College.

Mr Richard Cobb, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Richard Cobb

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

BDS · MBBS · MFDS(Eng) · MRCS(Eng) · DHMSA · FRCS(OMFS)

  • Oral Surgery
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Facial Surgery
  • Skin Surgery
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Mr Ryan Smit, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Ryan Smit

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

BDS · MBChB · MRACDS(PDS) · FRACDS(OMS)

  • Oral Surgery
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Facial Surgery
  • Skin Surgery
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RISKS & HONESTY

Limitations and considerations

VSP is a planning technology and shares the risks of the underlying surgery. The points below are the planning-specific considerations we discuss at consultation.

  • Imaging quality

    VSP precision depends on the quality of the underlying CT or CBCT imaging. Movement artefact or limited scan resolution can reduce planning accuracy.

  • Manufacturing lead-time

    Custom implants and cutting guides typically require 2 to 6 weeks to design and manufacture, so VSP is incompatible with truly acute trauma where immediate reconstruction is required.

  • Additional cost

    VSP planning and 3D-printed custom hardware add cost above traditional planning. The benefit is precision; the trade-off is discussed at consultation.

  • Intra-operative variation

    Even with careful planning, surgical execution introduces small variations. VSP minimises but does not eliminate these.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Common questions about virtual surgical planning

What does virtual surgical planning involve?

Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is a modern and highly accurate tool whereby digital imaging and computer software are used to plan surgical procedures and guide the manufacture of surgical cutting guides and implants. It allows highly complex procedures to be extremely precise, which aids predictability and excellent patient outcomes. Our surgeons have considerable experience using these techniques to aid their orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery, tumour surgery and facial trauma reconstructive surgery.

Which procedures benefit most from VSP?

Complex orthognathic surgery, large tumour resections requiring custom reconstructive plates, and facial trauma reconstruction all benefit significantly from VSP. Cheekbone augmentation with custom implants is another routine VSP application. Simpler procedures may not warrant the additional planning time.

How much earlier do we need to plan if VSP is used?

Custom implants and cutting guides typically require 2 to 6 weeks to design and manufacture. This is built into the surgical schedule at consultation. For truly acute trauma, conventional planning is used; VSP is reserved for cases where lead-time is workable.

Is there an extra cost for VSP?

VSP planning and custom 3D-printed hardware add cost above conventional planning. The exact additional cost depends on the complexity of the case and the number of custom items. A full written estimate is provided at consultation.

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