Efficiency of 3D-printed Implant Versus Autograft for Orbital Reconstruction (TOR-3D)

The principle of this surgery is based on the removal of a portion of the outer bone layer from the vault of the skull in order to have a flat and solid bone element (cortical bone), which can be carved freehand to better replace the defective bone wall.

"From data of a patient's CT-scan, it is possible to perform a mirroring. The unaffected orbit is mirrored onto the affected orbit, via a virtual treatment planning, in order to rely on facial symmetry to virtually restore healthy anatomy. From this simulation, the implant is 3D-printed by Selective Laser Melted (SLM) technique using titanium powder. This technique enabling the creation of custom-made implants is called computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM).~After sterilization, the implant is ready to be placed during a surgical procedure."