The Role of 3D Modeling in Education of Orthopedic Trainees for the Treatment of Foot Deformities.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY We hypothesized that preoperative planning with 3D modeling of complex foot deformities would be useful for the education of orthopedics and traumatology residents. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study is prospectively designed study with a control group. Twenty eight residents (study group) who assisted the surgeons during the interventions and ten senior surgeons (control group) were included in the study. All participants assessed virtual 3D-CT images and videos of the cases before the surgery. Ten adult cases of foot bone deformities were evaluated. 3D-CT reconstruction was performed and a 3D model of each deformity was created using the hospital's picture archiving and communication system. The completed 3D models were sterilized in hydrogen peroxide and put on the surgical table in a sterile manner. After surgery, the residents (group I) and surgeons (group II) were questioned regarding their satisfaction with 3D modeling. Responses were structured by a five-point Likert scale (1, strongly disagree; 2, disagree; 3, neither agree nor disagree; 4, agree; and 5, strongly agree). RESULTS The surgeons (group II, n = 10) were satisfied with the sterilized 3D models, which they could touch and re-examine on the operating table. The residents (group I, n = 28) were significantly more satisfied than the senior surgeons (p=0.01). The 3D modeling met both the surgeons' and residents' expectations. DISCUSSION The survey results for the surgeons (group II) were satisfied with the sterilized 3D models, which they could touch and reexamine on the operating table (question 3). They gave the best scores (mean, 4.8/5) for clarity of the 3D model. On the other hand, they gave the lowest scores (mean 3.1/5) to 3D models due to its contribution in understanding deformity over virtual 3D-CT evaluations (question 2 and 5). The residents (group I) differed from those for the senior surgeons. Residents gave the highest scores for understanding of the deformity (question 2 and 5) and clarity (question 1). These outcomes may be interpreted to indicate i) that 3D modeling may be used for education, and ii) that younger surgeons are more interested in novel technological developments. Therefore, the outcomes did differ significantly between the senior surgeons and residents (Table 1). These outcomes may be explicated as; 3D modeling of the foot deformities may not be mandatory for the experienced surgeons for understanding the deformity. On the other hand 3D modeling would be useful tools for younger surgeons and for their education. CONCLUSIONS 3D modeling of foot deformities is more informative than virtual 3D videos. However, with consideration of costs and long processing times, 3D printing may be used optimally for rare deformities. When considering the role of touch sense in surgical learning, 3D modeling gives more detailed and more satisfactory planning than virtual 3D videos. 3D modeling is more useful for young surgeons, and it will be used mainly for education in the future. Key words: 3D printing, deformity, foot and ankle, simulation.

Safety and Efficacy of Intra-Articular 20 mg/2 ml Hyaluronic Acid Injection for the Non-Operative Palliation Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY In this study it is aimed to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of 20 mg/2 ml Hyaluronic Acid (HA) injections for non-operative palliation treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint. MATERIAL AND METHODS After institutional review board approval was obtained for the study, 63 patients were enrolled and followed prospectively. All the patients have signed informed consent form. Patients who had diagnosis of gonarthrosis according to clinical and radiological evaluation, were given nonsteroid antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment for four weeks. Patients between 55-80 years old in both sexes, whose pain did not relieve were included to the study and were followed up for 6 months. They were applied HA injections in total; three times with one week of interval. Patients were evaluated three times during the study. First one at third week (at the control visit of third injection), secondly at third month and lastly at sixth month. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores were used to clinically evaluate the patients at follow ups. RESULTS 56 (88.9%) patients completed the study and 7 (11.1%) patients did not show up for follow-up examinations and they were excluded. The mean age of the patients was 63.6 ± 6.90 (range 47 and 76) years old. 22 (39.2%) of the patients were male and 34 (60.7%) were female. Any adverse events and adverse effects were not seen in the enrolled patients group. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study revealed that the use of 20 mg/2 ml HA injection was effective in improving the WOMAC index score in patients of knee OA. Additionally, patients' quality of life as measured by SF-36 questionnaire was also significantly improved at the end of the study. None of the patient reported any of the adverse events during the study. Overall, the 20 mg/2 ml HA injection can be considered as a good treatment option for the knee OA in patients who do not respond to non-pharmacological therapy, NSAIDs or analgesics. Key words: osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid, injection, non-operative.