The surgical planning is most important in neurosurgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The transfer of the surgical planning to the patient is generally made using a medical navigation system.

In order to make a surgical planning, one would need a 3D image of the patient.

In the early 1990s, the surgical planning was performed by using stereolithographic models.

It was concluded that the desmoid risk factor scale could be used for surgical planning.

For edentulous patients, the surgical planning is made by using stereolithographic models.

Pre-operative surgical planning is handicapped by the need to conserve X-ray film.

Besides being used as a teaching tool, company officials say, more advanced versions could be used for surgical planning.

The resulting surgical planning is then reproduced onto the patient by using a navigation system.

Patient must be psychologically ready to understand the surgical planning, aims and possible outcomes.