Intraoperative CT: A teaching tool for the management of complex facial fracture fixation in surgical training.

摘要

Adequate repair of complex facial fractures following poly-trauma can be challenging for a young surgeon in training. Accurate fracture reduction requires precise knowledge of facial anatomy, consistent anatomic dissection for identification of facial fractures, and most importantly, a global perspective of the facial skeleton for proper symmetrical alignment of the bony structures. Authors have noted that reconstructive surgeons may be at the forefront of individual facets of surgery however they lack considerably behind other surgical specialties when it comes to surgical education.Intraoperative computed tomography (CT) is a recent development that may serve to improve surgical education; the use of an intraoperative CT provides immediate postreduction or intraoperative scans that make the surgeon aware of the need for extra maneuvers for optimal fracture reduction and fixation in real-time. Indeed, this technique may be utilized as a training tool to assist surgical residents in the diagnosis and confirmation of accurate surgical reduction of complex facial fractures. Temple and Ross noted that in current surgical training programs residents acquire and develop their surgical skills inherently with only sporadic periods of explicit teaching; as they progress in their training, they are given increased responsibility and eventually carry out procedures under supervision.