Frontal sinus models and onlay templates in osteoplastic flap surgery

OBJECTIVE: Precise delineation of the extent of frontal sinus pneumatisation is a crucial step in osteoplastic flap frontal sinus surgery. The authors present a novel method of achieving this objective. METHODS: First, models of the frontal area are generated using three-dimensional printing based on pre-operative computed tomography image data. These models are then used to create an onlay template of the frontal sinus, which is used intra-operatively. RESULTS: In a series of 10 patients undergoing osteoplastic flap frontal sinus surgery, the described frontal sinus templates were consistently accurate to within 1 mm. CONCLUSION: Frontal sinus templates are potentially useful adjuncts to current techniques employed to guide frontal sinus surgery.