Increased Reliability in Medial Canthal Tendon Reposition in Nasoorbitoethmoidal Fractures with Computer-assisted Surgery and Surgical Navigation

Abstract

Summary: Avulsion of the medial canthal tendon secondary to nasoorbitoethmoidal fractures leads to severe aesthetic and functional impairments. The tendon should be repositioned at the posterior lacrimal crest. Owing to the complexity of nasoorbitoethmoidal fractures, accurate location of this point during surgery can be challenging. With the aid of computer-assisted planning and surgical navigation, the point at which the medial canthal tendon should be repositioned can be easily and precisely located. We have developed an innovative navigation-assisted technique that increases the reliability and safety of internal canthus repositioning. We performed a case series of three consecutive patients who underwent medial canthal tendon repositioning using computer-assisted planning and surgical navigation. We believe that this innovation provides a new and useful application of computer-assisted planning and surgical navigation in craniomaxillofacial surgery.