Meenakshi Hospital Thanjavur, has introduced 3D-based Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) for high-impact corrective orthognathic (jaw) surgeries in the Delta Region, in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati, a leader in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery research, to ensure precise surgeries and accurate outcomes in aesthetics and jaw function for patients with complex jaw deformities, facial asymmetries, and airway problems.
The hospital successfully performed four complex jaw surgeries on August 27 and 28 in collaboration with a team from the University of Cincinnati, led by global experts Professor Dr. Deepak Krishnan and Professor James Phero, who had flown down to Thanjavur for this purpose. The cases—including that of a teenage boy—involved highly challenging conditions, more than 12 mm gap between the upper and lower jaws and significant vertical jaw asymmetry. Post-surgery, the patients experienced significant improvements in both jaw function and facial aesthetics.
In her comments about the surgery, Dr. Saumya Tripathi, Senior Consultant, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Hospital Thanjavur said, “Jaw deformities and malalignments, facial asymmetries, and airway issues are common congenital conditions worldwide. They can range from a minor aesthetic issue to major jaw malalignment that can cause obstructed breathing, eating and speaking difficult, besides impacting the facial appearance. Fortunately, these conditions can be surgically corrected. We at Meenakshi Hospital are happy to bring globally advanced VSP technology to the patients in the delta region. We are fortunate to have collaborated with the world leaders in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery research.”
Explaining the advantages of the advanced technology, Dr Saumya said, “Traditional model surgery, where we simulate jaw movements on plaster casts, has long been the standard. But it is time-consuming, less precise, and often inadequate for complex cases such as severe asymmetries or airway issues. It also relies heavily on manual adjustments, increasing the risk of error and prolonging operating time. However, virtual planning has become the order of the day in oral and maxillofacial surgery. VSP provides a level of control and precision that was unimaginable a decade ago. It is particularly vital in cases where even millimeters of movement in three-dimensional space can lead to significant clinical outcomes.”
In Virtual Surgical Planning, CT scans feed directly into advanced planning software, allowing complete three-dimensional visualization and accurate simulation of bone cuts and jaw movements. This enables surgeons to design guiding splints with digital precision, which translate the exact plan into the operating room. The result is surgical accuracy to within less than a millimeter, reduced intraoperative guesswork, and highly predictable outcomes in both aesthetics and function for our patients.
As a team, the doctors from Meenakshi Hospital and the University of Cincinnati marks a significant step in academic and skill exchange in the healthcare sector. Professors Dr. Deepak Krishnan and Dr. James Phero from the university, with their vast experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery, will closely work with the Meenakshi Hospital team and equip them with advanced knowledge and surgical expertise.
This collaboration benefits patients in the delta region who have jaw conditions requiring surgical correction, including cleft lip and palate, where orthognathic surgery improves restricted upper jaw growth, bite alignment, and facial harmony; obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), where jaw advancement surgery relieves airway obstruction, reduces dependence on CPAP, and enhances sleep quality and overall health; and facial asymmetry and malocclusion, where corrective surgery not only restores chewing and speaking function but also alleviates associated psychosocial distress.