Preliminary application of three-dimension printing technology in surgical management of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures

Objective

Surgical management of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, which is frequently associate with high wound complication rates and functional impairment, remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Recently, the emergence of three-dimension(3D) printing provided orthopedic surgeons with a new technology which has revolutionary impacts on surgical planning, operative guidance and custom-made implants manufacture. The aim of this study is to explore the clinical feasibility and application value of 3D printing in the surgical management of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.

Method

Data of this retrospective study was collected from 11 patients suffering bicondylar tibial plateau fracture from October 2015 to August 2016. All of them underwent surgical treatment with the assistance of 3D printing technology. Real-size solid models and screw guide templates were printed for preoperative planning, surgical simulation and intraoperative guidance. Patients’ Demographics, surgery duration, intraoperative blood loss, the accuracy of preoperative planning were recorded and evaluated.

Result

The 3D printed models successfully provided the omni-directional exhibition of the fracture morphology. Model-based surgical simulation procedures and pre-selection of implants were generally consistent with the results of actual surgeries. There were no significant differences between the length of the osteosynthesis screws and that of actual surgeries (59.43?±?11.13?mm vs 60.14?±?12.05?mm). Beyond that, other parameters, such as surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss and HSS scores was satisfactory according to the surgical records and follow-up.

Conclusions

According to our experience, the assistance of 3D printing technology in the surgical management of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures provides a comprehensive understanding of fracture features, an accurate patient-specific preoperative planning and an intraoperative guidance for real surgeries, thus leading to the optimization of clinical outcomes.