Needle Removal in the Deep Maxillofacial Region Assisted by Computerized Navigation Technique and Digital Guiding Plate

Abstract

Retention of foreign bodies frequently happened in the region of oral and maxillofacial. In very rare cases, the positions of the foreign objects moved with the movement of muscles in the oral and maxillofacial regions. Precise locations of moving objects and minimally invasive surgeries pose a great challenge to surgeons. The case of a 44-year-old female patient diagnosed with retention of the fractured needle is reported in this study. A digital guide plate was manufactured to locate the precise position of the fractured needle and preoperatively mimic the surgery processes. The computerized navigation system guided us to make an incision and precisely target the fractured needle during the surgery. Combing the technologies of the digital guiding plate and navigation system, removing the moving foreign bodies becomes objective, time-saving, and minimally invasive.