Clinical Feasibility and Early Outcomes of Preoperative Three-Dimensional Modeling Techniques in Complex Maxillofacial Surgery: A Prospective Clinical Study

Background: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) with stereolithographic (SLA) models and patient‑specific cutting guides has improved geometric fidelity and operating room efficiency in complex maxillofacial reconstruction [1–3,22]. Objective: To evaluate feasibility and early outcomes of a three‑phase preoperative 3D modeling workflow (planning → modeling → surgery) in a prospective cohort. Methods: Five consecutive patients (2017–2018) underwent VSP, SLA model fabrication, and intraoperative application for mandibular tumor resections with reconstruction or complex facial trauma. Primary outcomes were intraoperative feasibility/plate fit and perioperative complications; secondary outcomes included operation duration and early satisfaction. Results: Four resections required reconstruction (fibula free flap n=3; iliac crest graft n=1); one trauma case used pre‑bent plates. No intra‑ or early postoperative complications occurred; all patients reported early satisfaction. Conclusions: The workflow was feasible and safe with favorable early outcomes, aligning with contemporary evidence for VSP‑guided reconstruction [1–3,6–9,22].