Navigation-assisted mandibular body distraction osteogenesis: a preliminary study in goats.

PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of navigation-assisted distraction osteogenesis of the mandible in a goat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six adult goats were included in the present study. A 3-dimensional (3D) image was reconstructed by performing computed tomography (CT) scans in 0.625-mm slices after placement of 5 maxillary marking screws and intermaxillary fixation with a prefabricated occlusal splint using the TBNavis-CMFS navigation system (Multifunctional Surgical Navigation System, Shanghai, China). Simulation distraction was performed to lengthen a unilateral mandibular body by 10 mm. Image-guided distraction osteogenesis was performed on the goat hemimandibles according to the preoperative planning. 3D skeletal measurements from the simulation were compared with those taken from the CT scans at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS Navigation-assisted distraction osteogenesis was successfully performed in all 6 goat hemimandibles. The accuracy of the intraoperative registration was within 1 mm. The hemimandible was lengthened a mean of 10.02 mm (range 9.89 to 10.12). No significant differences were found between the simulation distraction and postoperative 3D measurements (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Navigation-assisted distraction osteogenesis of the mandible in the goat model can be performed with high accuracy using the TBNavis-CMFS navigation system.