Advanced Concepts of Orbital Reconstruction

•The use of a cadaver model allows assessment of the effect of individual steps of computer-assisted surgery on orbital implant positioning.•The accuracy and consistency of implant positioning without computer-assisted surgery are low, which enphasizes the need for intraoperative control.•3D virtual surgical planning leads to a better implant position through enhanced insight in anatomy and fracture details, and detailed knowledge on the ideal implant position.•Deviations from the ideal implant position can be identified with intraoperative imaging and the implant’s position can be improved accordingly.•Real-time navigation proves to be the safest, fastest and most accurate method of intraoperative navigation for orbital reconstruction. •The use of a cadaver model allows assessment of the effect of individual steps of computer-assisted surgery on orbital implant positioning.•The accuracy and consistency of implant positioning without computer-assisted surgery are low, which enphasizes the need for intraoperative control.•3D virtual surgical planning leads to a better implant position through enhanced insight in anatomy and fracture details, and detailed knowledge on the ideal implant position.•Deviations from the ideal implant position can be identified with intraoperative imaging and the implant’s position can be improved accordingly.•Real-time navigation proves to be the safest, fastest and most accurate method of intraoperative navigation for orbital reconstruction.