Male patient N.Q.N (1995, Quang Ngai province) discovered a tumor in his lower jaw 6 years ago but stopped treatment after the initial follow-up period.
Recently, the tumor swelling increased, the patient came to Military Hospital 175 with a swollen lower jaw, mild inflammation and redness of the mucosa, and little pain. The results of the diagnostic imaging showed that the tumor destroyed the bone from tooth number 44 to the ascending branch of the right lower jaw.
The patient underwent surgery to resect the lower jaw, remove the tumor with a 1 cm safe margin, and reconstruct the lower jaw with a free peroneal muscle flap. This is a complex technique, requiring meticulousness and endurance from the surgical team.
This method is supported by 3D technology, helping doctors accurately simulate each cutting, grafting, and reconstruction operation. Thanks to that, the surgical results are optimized in both function and aesthetics, bringing outstanding efficiency to patients.
During the surgery, the patient is designed with a cutting line, surgical guide to cut the jaw bone, cut the fibula (cutting guide) on the software, print the guide, print a 3D jaw model after simulating bone cutting, and reconstruct. Bend the splint according to the simulated jaw model in advance.
Doctor Do Van Tu - Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Military Hospital 175, who directly performed the surgery, said: "Applying software to create "cutting guides" and print jaw models helps surgeons have the most precise cutting lines, especially helping to create the most perfect lower jaw bone from the fibula from every angle.
Calculating the details of the cuts and grafts will help doctors perform surgery simply and accurately, instead of having to wait until the patient is on the operating table to perform time-consuming calculations like before.
Proper planning and execution of the plan when applying 3D technology in microsurgery is an important factor to ensure optimal aesthetic and functional results for the patient.”
After 10 days of surgery, the patient recovered well: The whole body was stable, no fever, normal vital signs, good fibula flap, dry surgical wound, fast healing, eating, chewing, opening and closing movements, and facial aesthetics were significantly improved. Having a perfect 3D shaping plan will shorten the surgery time, helping the patient recover quickly.
