ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the significance of digital orthopedic technology in surgical plan for spinal tumor and the preliminary outcomes of 3D printed vertebral bodies in spinal tumor surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 2 patients were retrospectively analyzed who had had a 3D printed vertebral body implanted at Center of Orthopaedics, Shenzhen Hospital from June 2018 to December 2019. One was a 32-year-old male, diagnosed with cervical neurinoma; the other was a 27-year-old female, diagnosed with giant cell tumor of lumbar bone. 3D virtual reconstruction of tumor and surrounding structures was established via Mimics software for surgical plan. Virtual osteotomy was simulated, their disease models and guide templates were 3D printed, and their metal artificial vertebral bodies were 3D printed after personalized design of the vertebral body diameter, porosity and procedures of reconstruction and fixation. Lesion resection and prosthesis implantation were carried out in accordance with the preoperative plan. After operation, the motor function of cervical or lumbar vertebrae, tumor recurrence, and spinal stability reconstructed were regularly observed.Results:Resections and reconstructions went uneventfully in both cases. The 2 patients were followed up for 21 and 13 months respectively. Their postoperative images showed that their 3D printed vertebral bodies fitted the neighboring vertebral bodies well. The spinal stability was reconstructed without any loosening or periprosthetic osteolysis, and the tumors were removed completely with no recurrence in both cases. Their spinal motor function was satisfactory.Conclusions:Digital orthopedic technology can offer accurate guidance in the treatment of spinal tumors. It is necessary to consider local physiological anatomy in personalized design of a metal vertebral body 3D printed. Clinical application of 3D printed metal vertebral bodies is a new strategy for spinal reconstruction following spinal tumor resection.