Navigational exploration of bony defect mimicking a solid lesion of the mandible compared to conventional surgery by young professionals

Introduction: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the accuracy of resection a solid lesion in an acrylic lower jaw by young professionals using a dynamic computer-assisted surgical system comparted to conventional surgery technique.Material and methods: Twenty students performed the removal of the lesion conventionally and twenty students did the operation with a dynamic computer-assisted surgical system. Both groups were compared regarding the defect size, operation time, and surgical complications.Results: The defect size in the jaw was significant smaller with the navigated surgery (p < 0.001). Operation time was shorter without navigation system, but no significance was found (p = 0.137). Without navigation system three young professionals perforated the lingual cortex.Discussion: Navigated surgery can immediately be used by young professionals and support young surgeons in everyday clinical practice, especially in operations with difficult anatomic situations.(c) 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.