Treatment of complex acetabular fractures through supra-ilioinguinal approach by the use of 3D printing technique / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes in the treatment of complex acetabular fractures through a single supra-ilioinguinal approach after the application of preoperative 3D printing and rapid prototyping simulating the operative procedure.Methods From January 2013 to January 2016,24 cases of complex pelvic and acetabular fractures in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Among them 18 cases were male and 6 were female.The average age was 39.2+±13.8 years (range,24-68 years).According to Letoumel-Judet's classification,there were 6 cases of transverse,4 cases of T shaped,4 cases of combined anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse (ACPHT) and 10 cases of 2-column fractures.The time from injured to operation averaged 9 days (range,4-18 days).Before operation,pelvic AP view,three-dimensional CT as well as CTA of iliac blood vessels was taken routinely in all cases.The CT and CTA scan data were then imported into Mimics software for 3D reconstruction.Surgical simulation and optimal placement of internal fixations were performed on computer.After that,the individual simulated model of the pelvis was printed by the use of 3D printing and rapid prototyping technique.The order of reduction,selection and optimal position of the implants were determined.The plates were bent before operation and the length and direction of the screws were recorded.A uniform supra-ilioinguinal approach was used in all cases.Results The length of incision averaged 9 cm (range,8-13 cm).The operative time average 130 min (range,90-220 min).The blood loss averaged 600 ml (range,300-1 500 ml).Once a satisfactory reduction was obtained,single placement of the plates was achieved.In accordance with the preoperative plan,the plates were perfectly fitted to the bone surface.The 24 patients were followed for an average time of 18.3 months (range,15-30 months).The fractures healed in all cases.The average healing time was 4.2 months (range,3-6 months).According to Matta criteria,there were 16 cases of excellent,6 cases of good,2 cases of poor and the excellent rate was 91.7％ (22/24).The average modified Merle d'Aubigne score was 16.5 (range,13-18).The functional outcome was excellent in 13 cases,good in 6 cases and poor in 5 cases.The excellent rate of hip functions was 79.2％ (19/24).There were 2 cases of femoral lateral cutaneous nerve injury (recovered one month later) and another 1 case of fat liquefaction of the incision happened three days postoperatively (the wound healed completely after several dressing changes).No inguinal hernia or abdominal wall hemias was found.No other postoperative complications was found.Conclusion The application of 3D printing and rapid prototyping technique allows preoperatively simulating reduction in vitro,determining the optimal position of the implants,bending the plates and measuring the length of the screws in advance,which could largely reduce the operative time,intraoperative blood loss and occurrence of postoperative complications.Adopting supra-ilioinguinal approach for the treatment of complex acetabular fractures with a small incision and less trauma,a full exposure could be obtained,so the reduction and fixation of the anterior,posterior and middle column (also named pubo-ischiatic column) could be completed in a direct visualization,resulting in a satisfactory clinical outcomes.