Aims: The possibility of performing intraoperative computed tomography may add to the safety and efficiency of some maxillofacial procedures. It would be preferable for intraoperative image data acquisition to be available to a surgeon on demand for immediate control of therapy results.
Methods: In a pilot study, the use of a mobile computed tomographic scanner (Philips Tomoscan M, Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, Netherlands) was evaluated in our unit. The scanner is equipped with wheels, draws power from wall outlets in combination with batteries, and has a translating gantry.
Results: Experience to date with six patients has confirmed the feasibility of intraoperative CT. All patients operated on were treated for craniofacial trauma. The CT images showed good spatial resolution. In all cases, visualization of the correct fragment position was excellent without causing significant delay of the operative procedure.
Conclusions: Intraoperative computed tomography could be the new state-of-the-art method for direct control of treatment results in maxillofacial traumatology. Nevertheless, the high expenses for installation of such technical infrastructure has to be pointed out; therefore, the routine use of this technique might be questioned.