Background: This systematic review summarizes recent literature on the use of extended reality, including augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR), in preoperative planning for orbital fractures. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane on 6 April 2023. The included studies compared extended reality with conventional planning techniques, focusing on computer-aided surgical simulation based on Computed Tomography data, patient-specific implants (PSIs), fracture reconstruction of the orbital complex, and the use of extended reality. Outcomes analyzed were technical accuracy, planning time, operative time, complications, total cost, and educational benefits. Results: A total of 6381 articles were identified. Four articles discussed the educational use of VR, while one clinical prospective study examined AR for assisting orbital fracture management. Conclusion: AR was demonstrated to ameliorate the accuracy and precision of the incision and enable the better identification of deep anatomical tissues in real time. Consequently, intraoperative imaging enhancement helps to guide the orientation of the orbital reconstruction plate and better visualize the precise positioning and fixation of the PSI of the fractured orbital walls. However, the technical accuracy of 2–3 mm should be considered. VR-based educational tools provided better visualization and understanding of craniofacial trauma compared to conventional 2- or 3-dimensional images.

Study Design: Retrospective study. Objective: Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures are common facial injuries with heterogeneity regarding aetiologies, fracture types, infraorbital nerve (ION) involvement, and treatment methods. The aim of this study was to identify associations between aetiologies, fracture types, and neurological complications. Additionally, treatment methods and recovery time were investigated. Methods: Medical files of 272 patients with unilateral and bilateral ZMC fractures were reviewed, whose cases were managed from January 2014 to January 2019 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University hospitals Leuven, Belgium. History of ION sensory dysfunction and facial nerve motoric dysfunction were noted during follow-up. Results: ION hypoaesthesia incidence was 37.3%, with the main causes being fall accidents, road traffic accidents, and interpersonal violence. Significant predictors of ION hypoaesthesia were Zingg type B fractures ( P = 0.003), fracture line course through the infraorbital canal ( P < .001), orbital floor fracture ( P < 0.001), and ZMC dislocation or mobility ( P = 0.001). Conclusion: Of all ZMC fractures, 37.3% exhibited ION hypoaesthesia. Only ZMC Zingg type B fractures (74.0%) were significantly more associated with ION hypoaesthesia. ION hypoesthesia was more likely (OR = 2.707) when the fracture line course ran through the infraorbital canal, and was less dependent on the degree of displacement. Neuropathic pain symptoms developed after ZMC fractures in 2.2% patients, posing a treatment challenge. Neuropathic pain symptoms were slightly more common among women, and were associated only with type B or C fractures. No other parameters were found to predict the outcome of this post-traumatic neuropathic pain condition.

This systematic review aims to investigate the effect of virtual planning on the treatment of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) traumatology followed by intraoperative navigation. Furthermore, clinical outcomes following intraoperative navigation surgery or conventional surgery will be compared. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web-of-Science, and Cochrane on January 1st, 2022. Inclusion criteria were articles using preoperative three-dimensional (3D) virtual planning combined with intraoperative navigation or comparing these 3D methods with conventional methods. Furthermore, at least one of the following outcomes needed to be included in the article: technical accuracy of the procedure, preoperative planning time, operative time, number of fixation points, patient satisfaction, complications, or total costs of the intervention. Following the screening of 4478 articles, 17 were included. Five articles appeared to indicate a significantly better technical linear accuracy, one article reported better accuracy for rotation and two articles showed better accuracy in restoring orbital volume when using navigation. Nine articles investigated operative time with varying results. Seven articles calculated the additional costs, of which three concluded no extra cost while the others indicated high additional costs or questionable cost-effectiveness. Virtual planning and intraoperative navigation technologies have the potential to assist maxillofacial trauma surgeons in reducing ZMC fractures significantly more accurately and restoring the facial contour in a less invasive manner at an acceptable cost. The protocol for this systematic review (CRD42020216717) was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).

Introduction: The treatment of mandibular condyle fractures remains a controversial topic in maxillofacial surgery. No uniform treatment protocol is currently available. Purpose: We performed a retrospective monocentric cohort study of patients with condylar fractures and their treatment, including long-term follow-up by telephone, followed by a short review of the literature. Patients and Methods: The available data on condylar fractures presenting at Leuven University Hospitals between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2015, were analyzed. Cause, age, sex, fracture level, degree of displacement, associated facial fractures, malocclusion, type of treatment, and complications were noted. Follow-up by telephone was performed after an average 261 weeks for the conservative group. Results: A total of 109 condylar fractures were observed with a male/female ratio of 1.14:1. Most fractures were subcondylar, unilateral, displaced, caused by road traffic accidents, and treated conservatively. Discussion: In children and intracapsular fractures, conservative management remains the first choice. Maxillomandibular fixation should be used sparingly in children and for as short a time as possible. Some patients indicated for surgery can still have acceptable results if treated conservatively.

Background: Mandibular condyle fractures in pediatric patients can lead to crippling sequelae such as ankylosis, pain and facial deformity if not managed properly. However, there is no consensus on the best approach for treating these fractures in children. Objective: This study aimed to describe the management of mandibular condyle fractures in growing patients across 14 maxillofacial departments worldwide. Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted on children and adolescents aged 0 to 16 who had at least one mandibular condyle fracture. This study included patients who underwent expectant, closed, or open management and were treated over an 11-year period. Results: 180 patients had at least one mandibular condyle fracture, and 37 had a second condylar fracture. One hundred sixteen patients (65%) were males, and 64 (35%) were females (ratio 1.8:1). An expectant strategy was chosen in 51 (28%) patients, a closed treatment—stand-alone maxillomandibular fixation (MMF)—in 47 (26%), and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed in 82 (46%) patients. The management varied significantly between the different departments (p < 0.0001). Significant differences were also identified between the fracture type (non-displaced, displaced or comminuted) and the management of the 180 patients with a single condylar fracture. Out of 50 non-displaced fractures, only 3 (6%) had ORIF, 25 (50%) had expectant management, and 22 (44%) had MMF. Out of 129 displaced fractures, 79 (62%) had ORIF, 25 (19%) had a soft diet, and 25 (19%) had MMF. Conclusions: Expectative management, MMF, and ORIF were all effective in treating pediatric mandibular condyle fractures, with a low incidence of complications and asymmetry.