A Virtual Reality Workflow for Facial Trauma: Virtual Reduction, Rapid 3D Printing and Plate Bending

Immersive virtual reality (VR) has advanced multiple surgical fields, including neurosurgery, orthopedics, oral/maxillofacial surgery, and surgical education.1-4 The ability of VR to visualize complex three-dimensional (3D) relationships is particularly relevant to craniofacial surgery. While VR has been studied in orthognathic surgery and head and neck reconstruction, its application to craniofacial trauma remains underexplored. This study examines the implementation and evolution of VR in craniofacial trauma at a single institution, outlining the development of a dedicated trauma workflow.

A retrospective review was conducted of patients treated with VR-assisted planning for facial fractures between 2020 and 2025. VR was utilized by four plastic surgeons across two hospitals. Over this period, 155 craniofacial trauma cases incorporated VR. In total, VR has been applied in 1,472 surgical procedures spanning more than eight distinct indications.

The use of VR for surgical planning allows for the manipulation of bone in 3D which can significantly improve intraoperative navigation for fracture reduction and fixation. This technology allows for the segmentation of individual fracture fragments and reduction creating a model for surgeons to use in real-time. This study demonstrates an evolution of the use of VR for craniofacial trauma, introducing a three-step workflow that allows for a 24- hour turnover from fracture presentation to custom planned surgical intervention.

Building on this established VR-assisted trauma workflow, future efforts will be focused on expanding implementation and evaluating surgical outcomes such as operative time, blood loss, and long-term patient outcomes.