Chronioplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct skull deformity or disorder. The deformity may be congenital, the result of trauma, or a complication from a previous surgery.
Chronioplasty offers aesthetic and protective benefits for patients with cranial defects. Cranioplasty not only improves the appearance of the skull, but can also provide many medical benefits. Strengthening the problem area provides much more comprehensive protection for the brain. In addition, it has been observed that the symptoms of patients experiencing headaches or neurological disorders decrease after cranioplasty is performed. While it can be done with synthetic or autograft, three-dimensional printers, which are one of today’s popular innovations with the technological developments in recent years, are becoming more and more popular day by day in the field of medicine as well as in all areas of life. is used and this technology is utilized by producing personalized implants using materials such as titanium and PEEK.
3D printers have many functions in various industries. In addition, it also plays an important role in the field of health. One of the most important developments in the field of health is personalized treatments with 3D printing technology. A precise mold specific to the defect is created using computed tomography images of the patient’s skull.
The most suitable material chosen for modeling is polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a low-cost, lightweight, strong, inert, radiolucent, non-ferromagnetic and stable material.
The modeling process consists of three stages. First, a computerized tomography of the patient’s skull is taken. These images are then transferred to the computer program and converted into a stereolithography file for the printer, and as a final process, they are transferred to the printer and a personalized model is created.
Computer-aided personalized 3D chronioplasty modeling provides excellent cosmetic results and reduces the operating time required for implant placement.
