The complex three-dimensional anatomy of the craniofacial skeleton creates a formidable
challenge for surgical reconstruction. Advances in computer-aided design and computer-
aided manufacturing technology have created increasing applications for virtual surgical
planning in craniofacial surgery, such as preoperative planning, fabrication of cutting guides,
and stereolithographic models and fabrication of custom implants. In this review, the authors
describe current and evolving uses of virtual surgical planning in craniofacial surgery.

Background: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is increasingly described in craniofacial surgery
literature. However, the quality of the literature that has been published is unknown. The
objective of this systematic review was to determine the level of evidence of published
articles on VSP. Methods: In this systematic review, PubMed, Web of Science, and
ScienceDirect databases were queried for key terms in craniofacial VSP. Inclusion and
exclusion criteria concentrated on patient-specific surgical outcomes in studies that could be …