CT Scans Aid Facial Reconstruction

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 22 (HealthDay News) -- High-tech scanning could help make better, more natural-looking implants for patients with facial deformities, researchers report.

High-resolution CT scan modeling to create acrylic facial implants before reconstructive surgery can improve outcomes, explain U.S. researchers reporting in the November/December issue of the journal Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

These implants provide good aesthetic outcomes in people with severe facial and eye abnormalities and are well-tolerated over the long term, according to the preliminary study of nine patients.

Severe facial or eye defects can be present at birth or can be caused by an accident or a medical procedure, such as removal of a tumor. Implants -- made of either the patient''s own bone and tissue or of synthetic material -- are used to restore anatomical integrity, improve appearance, and increase function.

Typically, these implants are shaped during surgery and often fail to recreate ideal three-dimensional contours in the patient''s face, noted researchers at the Jules Stein Institute in Los Angeles.

They investigated the use of three-dimensional, high-resolution CT scanning of the head and face to create customized acrylic implants for nine patients. Over an average of 4.3 years of follow-up, none of the patients experienced significant complications, such as infection, displacement or extrusion (forced out) of the implant.

"All of the patients demonstrated long-term sustained improvement of facial deformities," the study authors wrote.

More information

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons has more about treating and preventing facial injuries.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: JAMA/Archives journals, news release, Nov. 20, 2006

Last Updated: Nov. 22, 2006

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