Application of 3D printing technology in preoperative planning of scapular fracture / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The current internal fixation surgery for scapula fractures is limited by the complex anatomical structure of scapula, which is often difficult to operate, with much bleeding and time-consuming. OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of the application of 3D printing technology in scapula fracture surgery. METHODS: The clinical data of 28 cases (aged 34-70 years) with scapula fractures in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 14 cases were treated after routine preparation (control group). Another 14 patients underwent 64-slice thin-slice CT scanning and 3D reconstruction. The fracture model was printed with 3D printing technology. The surgical approach was designed and the internal fixation was customized before the operation (3D printing group). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative X-ray frequency of the two groups were recorded. Imaging data were followed up six weeks after the operation. The treatment effects were evaluated according to the Hardegger shoulder joint function assessment standard. All patients signed the informed consent. This study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All the 28 operations were successfully completed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and X-ray frequency of the 3D printing group were all less than those of the control group (P < 0.05). (2) The excellent and good rate of the 3D printing group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). (3) The operative approach and internal fixation used in the 3D printing group were consistent with the preoperative design. The application of 3D printing technology in the surgical treatment of scapula fractures can help surgeons better understand the characteristics of scapula fractures and make surgical plans, reduce the difficulty of surgery, obtain more accurate reduction, reduce the duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding and intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy, and improve the surgical efficacy.