Charlotte-Elise Broeckx1, Thomas J J Maal2, Rinaldo D Vreeken2, Ruud R M Bos3, Mark Ter Laan4. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: charlotte-elise.broeckx@uzleuven.be. 2. Radboudumc 3D Lab, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Simultaneous tumor resection and cranial reconstruction can be a challenging task. Surgical navigation is an indispensable tool in making this single-step procedure possible. In this technical note, we describe a new technique for this procedure to ensure a precise resection and optimal fit of the implant in a patient with an intraosseous meningioma. METHODS: We generated a 3-dimensional (3D) model of the patient's skull based on a computed tomography scan and created a digital "resection line" object using 3D Studio Max 2016 software. Based on this object, the patient-specific implant was generated and printed with a 3D printer. Before surgery, the digital object was transferred to the neuronavigation system to enable a navigated resection of the lesion to ensure maximum precision. During surgery, the craniotomy was performed, and the custom-made implant was fitted in a single step. RESULTS: The planned resection was achieved, and the implant could be fitted without need for further adjustments to the resection border. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a simple technique to digitally define a planned resection site and create a custom-made implant using specialized software and 3D printing to enable single-step resection of a skull lesion and cranial reconstruction, thereby reducing surgical time and costs and ensuring a good cosmetic result.
OBJECTIVE: Simultaneous tumor resection and cranial reconstruction can be a challenging task. Surgical navigation is an indispensable tool in making this single-step procedure possible. In this technical note, we describe a new technique for this procedure to ensure a precise resection and optimal fit of the implant in a patient with an intraosseous meningioma. METHODS: We generated a 3-dimensional (3D) model of the patient's skull based on a computed tomography scan and created a digital "resection line" object using 3D Studio Max 2016 software. Based on this object, the patient-specific implant was generated and printed with a 3D printer. Before surgery, the digital object was transferred to the neuronavigation system to enable a navigated resection of the lesion to ensure maximum precision. During surgery, the craniotomy was performed, and the custom-made implant was fitted in a single step. RESULTS: The planned resection was achieved, and the implant could be fitted without need for further adjustments to the resection border. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a simple technique to digitally define a planned resection site and create a custom-made implant using specialized software and 3D printing to enable single-step resection of a skull lesion and cranial reconstruction, thereby reducing surgical time and costs and ensuring a good cosmetic result.