New trends in the 3D management of CT data in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Introduction of computer aided tomography in 1972 provided surgeons with multiple 2D maps which they themselves had to conceptualize mentally into a third dimension. The later advent of computerized summation of these data made it possible to display a perspective view of the third dimension on a TV monitor. CT, with the further analytical refinement afforded by software processing (interactive data presentation, contour detection and summation, hypothetical 3D data construction and interactive visualization) now provides the basic information that is needed for the fabrication of an individual model. Such models can be milled from polyurethane. More recently, laser-hardened acrylic resins have proved to be a useful alternative. Both systems are described and their advantages and disadvantages in the planning and performance of plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures discussed in the light of present knowledge.