RESUMO
Objective:To explore the short-term outcomes of reconstruction of tumorous critical bone defects at femoral shaft with a 3D printed ultra-short stem with a porous structure.Methods:From September 2016 to June 2018, 8 patients underwent reconstruction of critical bone defects with a 3D printed ultra-short stem with a porous structure after resection of femoral shaft malignant tumor at Department of Orthopaedics, West China Hospital. There were 4 males and 4 females, with an average age of 36.9 years (from 11 to 61 years). Their preoperative Enneking staging was stage Ⅱb in all. There were 3 osteosarcomas, 2 Ewing sarcomas, 2 chondrosarcomas and one periosteal osteosarcoma. Preoperative CT/MRI image fusion technology was used to define the surgical boundary, design the guide plate and prosthesis, and perform surgical simulation. Tomosynthesis-shimadzu Metal Artefact Reduction technology was used to evaluate osseointegration. Complications and bone oncology prognosis of the patients were documented. The lower limb function of the patients was evaluated using Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 1993 scoring and knee range of motion.Results:The overall follow-up time ranged from 36 to 50 months, averaging 42.8 months. During operation one patient sustained a periprosthesis fracture, the union of which was followed up after wire assisted fixation. There was no local tumor recurrence, lung metastasis or death. The last follow-up revealed good osseointegration and basically isometric lower extremities in all cases. There was no such a complication as aseptic loosening of the prosthesis, deep infection or prosthesis fracture during the follow-up period. At the last follow-up in the 8 patients, the flexion range of the knee joint was 116.2°±9.1°, significantly improved compared with that before operation (98.8°±10.9°), and the MSTS score was (26.2±2.1) points, also significantly improved compared with that before operation [(21.6±1.8) points] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Reconstruction with a 3D printed ultra-short stem with a porous structure is an accurate operation for femoral shaft tumorous bone defects. With careful preoperative design, intraoperative manipulation and strict postoperative follow-up management, this operation can lead to fine early curative outcomes for long shaft critical bone defects.