Use of prototyping in preoperative planning for patients with head and neck tumors.

BACKGROUND: Prototyping technologies for reconstructions consist of obtaining a 3-dimensional model of the object of interest. Solid models are constructed by the deposition of materials in successive layers. The purpose of this study was to perform a double-blind, randomized, prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of prototype use in head and neck surgeries. METHODS: Thirty-seven cases were randomized into prototype and nonprototype groups. The following factors were recorded: the time of plate and locking screw apposition, flap size, time for reconstruction, and an aesthetic evaluation. RESULTS: The prototype group exhibited a reduced surgical time (43.7 minutes vs 127.7 minutes, respectively; p = .001), a tendency to reduce the size of the bone flap taken for reconstruction, and better aesthetic results than the group that was not prototyped. CONCLUSION: The use of prototyping demonstrated a trend toward a reduced surgical time, smaller bone flaps, and better aesthetic results.