NCT07280533

Accuracy of Virtual Surgical Planning Versus Traditional Technique in Zygomaticomaxillary Fracture Reduction

Accuracy of Virtual Surgical Planning in Reduction of Zygomatico-Maxillary Fractures A Randomized Clinical Controlled Study

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Suez Canal University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the accuracy and outcomes of virtual surgical planning (VSP) compared to the traditional surgical technique in the reduction of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures. Twenty patients with ZMC fractures will be randomly assigned into two equal groups: one treated using virtual planning and prebent titanium miniplates, and the other treated conventionally without virtual planning. Clinical evaluation will include facial symmetry, eye movement, and postoperative complications, while radiographic assessment will be performed using CT scans three months after surgery to measure bone formation and alignment accuracy. The study seeks to determine whether virtual surgical planning improves anatomical restoration, esthetics, and functional outcomes compared to traditional methods.

Detailed description

Background: The zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) is one of the most frequently fractured regions of the facial skeleton due to its prominent anatomical position. Improper reduction can lead to functional impairment, facial asymmetry, and poor esthetic results. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and 3D printing have recently been introduced to enhance surgical precision through preoperative simulation and prebending of fixation plates. However, the clinical superiority of this technique over traditional surgical methods remains under investigation. Objective: To compare the accuracy and clinical outcomes of virtual surgical planning and prebent titanium miniplates versus conventional open reduction and internal fixation techniques in the management of zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. Methods: This randomized clinical trial will include 20 patients diagnosed with unilateral ZMC fractures, divided equally into two groups. Group I: Patients treated using virtual surgical planning with 3D model reconstruction, virtual reduction, and prebending of titanium miniplates. Group II: Patients treated using traditional open reduction and fixation without virtual planning. All surgeries will be performed under general anesthesia using standard approaches. Clinical evaluation will include assessment of facial symmetry, eye movement, enophthalmos, diplopia, wound healing, and postoperative complications. Radiographic evaluation will be conducted by comparing postoperative 3D CT scans (after 3 months) with preoperative virtual models to assess reduction accuracy and bone formation. Statistical Analysis: Data will be analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics will be presented as mean ± standard deviation. Independent t-tests and ANOVA will be used to compare outcomes between groups, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Expected Outcomes: It is anticipated that virtual surgical planning will yield superior anatomical accuracy, improved facial symmetry, and reduced intraoperative time and complications compared to conventional techniques. Ethical Approval: Approved by the Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, on 30 September 2025 (Board Status: Approved). Study Start Date: October 2025 Estimated Completion Date: October 2026

Conditions

• Facial Bone Fracture
• Maxillofacial Injury
• Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fracture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Virtual surgical planning and 3D model printing	Preoperative CT segmentation, virtual reduction of fracture fragments using 3D planning software, and printing of the reduced 3D anatomical model for plate prebending.
DEVICE	Prebent titanium miniplates	Titanium miniplates prebent on the printed model and used for rigid internal fixation at standard zygomatic fixation points (frontozygomatic suture, infraorbital rim, zygomaticomaxillary buttress) as indicated.
PROCEDURE	Conventional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)	Standard surgical exposure and manual reduction of fracture fragments with intraoperative confirmation of alignment, followed by contouring and application of titanium miniplates and screws for fixation.
DEVICE	Titanium miniplates and screws (Anton Hipp)	Surgeon-contoured titanium miniplates applied intraoperatively at the necessary fixation points.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-25
• Primary completion: 2026-10-01
• Completion: 2026-11-01
• First posted: 2025-12-12
• Last updated: 2025-12-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt