Utilization of Computer-Assisted Navigation Technology Within Craniomaxillofacial Fracture Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: Use of intraoperative computer-assisted navigation (iCAN) has been well-established in otolaryngology and neurosurgery; however, its use in surgical management of facial fractures is yet to be reported on a large scale. This study aimed to review the existing literature to determine the outcomes, limitations, risks, and benefits of iCAN use in facial fracture management.

Methods: A systematic review of iCAN use in craniomaxillofacial fracture surgery was performed by 2 authors in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search was conducted on 3 databases, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase, using the search terms "navigation," "intraoperative," and "brain lab" in combination with "facial fractures" or "facial reconstruction." Study type, demographics, fracture characteristics, surgery characteristics, iCAN devices, intraoperative fracture fixation accuracy, postoperative outcomes, complications, navigation limitations, and risks and benefits were analyzed.

Results: There were 909 studies identified in the initial search, of which 42 were chosen for final use. iCAN use was most commonly reported in unilateral (57.1%) and complex (50%) facial fracture cases. Surgical accuracy ranged from 0.7 to 4 mm and postoperative discrepancy ranged from 0.05 to 8 mm. Benefits included improved intraoperative surgical accuracy (95.2%), improved postoperative surgical discrepancy (52.4%), and decreased total surgical time (35.7%). Limitations reported with iCAN device use included operative technical difficulties (23.8%) and persistent systematic errors during device registration (21.4%). None of the studies discussed cost analysis or risks compared to conventional fixation methods.

Conclusions: Advancements in and increasing familiarity with iCAN technology have preliminarily shown favorable surgical outcomes in facial fracture fixation, which include improved operative accuracy and discrepancy and decreased surgical time.