A computer-aided strategy for preoperative simulation of autologous ear reconstruction procedure

Autologous ear reconstruction is the preferred treatment in case of partial or total absence of the external ear. The surgery can be very challenging to perform and the aesthetic result highly dependent on the surgeon’s “artistic skills”. In this context a preoperative planning and simulation phase based on the patient’s specific anatomy may result crucial for the surgical outcome. In this work, starting from a case study, the elements necessary for an effective simulation are identified and a strategy for their interactive design and customization is devised with a perspective of a semi-automatization of the procedure.