Objective To investigate the clinical value of occlusal guide plate combined with intermaxillary fixation screw in mandibular defect repair with free fibular flap. Methods Between August and December 2011, 7 patients with mandibular tumor were treated, including 5 cases of ameloblastoma and 2 cases of gingival cancer. Of 7 patients, 4 were males and 3 were females, aged 32-65 years (median, 50 years). Occlusal guide plate was prepared and the implanted position of intermaxillary fixation screws was determined preoperatively. Hemimandibulectomy was performed in 5 cases, half mandibular segmental resection with condyle reservation in the other 2 cases. The free fibular flaps of 11-13 cm in length were harvested for repairing mandibular defects. When the free fibular flaps were fixed, the occlusal guide plate and intermaxillary fixation screws were utilized to restorate the occlusal relation. The donor site was sutured directly. Results The average operation time was 9.5 hours (range, 7-12 hours). All free fibular flaps survived completely. All incisions at the donor site and recipient site healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 10-14 months with an average of 12.3 months. All patients had symmetrical face, good occlusal relation, normal mouth opening, and normal mandibular lateral movement, and no pain of bilateral temporomandibular joints occurred. Panoramic tomography showed good mandibular contour and the suitable emplacement of fibular flaps postoperatively. No tumor recurrence occurred during follow-up period. Conclusion When repairing the mandibular defect with free fibular flap, occlusal guide plate with intermaxillary fixation screw contributes to simplifying operation, accurate recovery of the appearance and occlusal relation, and improving the oral comfort level postoperatively.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of excision and reconstruction of bone tumor by using operation guide plate made by variety of three-dimensional (3-D) printing techniques, and to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different 3-D printing techniques in the manufacture and application of operation guide plate. MethodsBetween September 2012 and January 2014, 31 patients with bone tumor underwent excision and reconstruction of bone tumor by using operation guide plate. There were 19 males and 12 females, aged 6-67 years (median, 23 years). The disease duration ranged from 15 days to 12 months (median, 2 months). There were 13 cases of malignant tumor and 18 cases of benign tumor. The tumor located in the femur (9 cases), the spine (7 cases), the tibia (6 cases), the pelvis (5 cases), the humerus (3 cases), and the fibula (1 case). Four kinds of 3-D printing technique were used in processing operation guide plate:fused deposition modeling (FDM) in 9 cases, stereo lithography appearance (SLA) in 14 cases, 3-D printing technique in 5 cases, and selective laser sintering (SLS) in 3 cases; the materials included ABS resin, photosensitive resin, plaster, and aluminum alloy, respectively. Before operation, all patients underwent thin layer CT scanning (0.625 mm) in addition to conventional imaging. The data were collected for tumor resection design, and operation guide plate was designed on the basis of excision plan. Preoperatively, the operation guide plates were made by 3-D printing equipment. After sterilization, the guide plates were used for excision and reconstruction of bone tumor. The time of plates processing cycle was recorded to analyse the efficiency of 4 kinds of 3-D printing techniques. The time for design and operation and intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency were recorded. Twenty-eight patients underwent similar operations during the same period as the control group. ResultsThe processing time of operation guide plate was (19.3±6.5) hours in FDM, (5.2±1.3) hours in SLA, (8.6±1.9) hours in 3-D printing technique, and (51.7±12.9) hours in SLS. The preoperative design and operation guide plate were successfully made, which was used for excision and reconstruction of bone tumor in 31 cases. Except 3 failures (operation guide plate fracture), the resection and reconstruction operations followed the preoperative design in the other 28 cases. The patients had longer design time, shorter operation time, and less fluoroscopy frequency than the patients of the control group, showing significant differences (P<0.05). The follow-up time was 1-12 months (mean, 3.7 months). Postoperative X-ray and CT showed complete tumor resection and stable reconstruction. Conclusion3-D printing operation guide plates are well adapted to the requirements of individual operation for bone tumor resection and reconstruction. The 4 kinds of 3-D printing techniques have their own advantages and should be chosen according to the need of operation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of individual percutaneous cannulated screws fixation of computer-assisted design combined with three-dimensional (3D) guide plate by comparing with cast immobilization and open internal fixation for treatment of Herbert type Ib scaphoid fracture. MethodsBetween January 2010 and June 2015, 56 patients with fresh Herbert type Ib scaphoid fracture were treated with cast immobilization in 16 cases (external fixation group), with open reduction and internal fixation in 20 cases (open reduction group), and with individual percutaneous cannulated screws fixation of computer-assisted design combined 3D guide plate in 20 cases (minimal invasion group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, side, disease duration, and classification of fractures between groups P>0.05).The time of bone union, bone nonunion rate, return-to-work time, wrist range of motion (ROM), and Mayo function score were recorded and compared. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in open reduction group and minimally invasion group, without related complications. The cases were followed up 10-24 months (mean, 16.6 months). The time of bone union and return-to-work time of minimal invasion group were significantly shorter than those of the other 2 groups (P<0.05), and the rate of bone nonunion was significantly lower than that of the other 2 groups (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the wrist ROM of minimal invasion group[(104.40±3.46)°] was significantly larger than that of external group[(94.20±2.42)°] and open reduction group[(96.40±2.66)°] (P<0.05). According to Mayo function score, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 5 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 3 cases in external fixation group, with an excellent and good rate of 69%; the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 2 cases in open reduction group, with an excellent and good rate of 80%; the results were excellent in 16 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in1 case in minimal invasion group, with an excellent and good rate of 95%; there was significant difference in excellent and good rate among groups (P<0.05). ConclusionIndividual percutaneous cannulated screws fixation of computer-assisted design combined with 3D guide plate has satisfactory effectiveness in the treatment of Herbert type Ib scaphoid fractures, with the advantages of mini-invasion, high accuracy, high rate of bone union, less complication, early return-to-work time.
Objective To explore the application of individualized transiliac crest nail-grafting guide plate prepared by computer-aided design and three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in deep pelvic external fixator implantation. Methods Five patients with pelvic fractures were collected between May 2017 and February 2018. There were 4 females and 1 male with an average age of 52 years (range, 29-68 years). Pelvic fractures were classified as type B in 3 cases and type C in 2 cases by Tile classification. The interval between injury and operation was 6-14 days (mean, 9 days). The preoperative CT images of pelvic fractures were collected. The data was reconstructed by 3D imaging reconstruction workstation. An individualized transiliac crest nail-grafting guide plate was designed on the virtual 3D model. The individualized transiliac crest nail-grafting guide plate and the solid pelvic model were produced with the 3D printing technology. The individualized transiliac crest nail-grafting guide plate was used for intraoperative deep pin position on iliac crest after the preoperative simulation. The follow-up CT scans were used to determine the differences in distance from anterior superior iliac spine, convergence angle, and caudal angle between the preoperative plan and postoperative measurement. Results During the operation, the individualized transiliac crest nail-grafting guide plate was used to guide the placement of 20 pins. X-ray film and CT examination showed that all pins were well positioned. The average depth of pins was 83.16 mm (range, 70.13-100.53 mm). Fitted 3D reconstruction images showed that the entry point and orientation of the pins were all consistent with preoperative schemes. Compared with the planned nail path, there was no significant difference in the distance from anterior superior iliac spine, convergence angle, and caudal angle in the actual nail path (P>0.05). No loosening and rupture of pin, no damage of blood vessels and nerve, and shallow or deep infection occurred during 3 months follow-up, and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were satisfied with the treatment process. The ranges of motion of hip and knee were normal, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 0-3 (mean, 0.5). Conclusion The individualized transiliac crest nail-grafting guide plate technique is the improvement of traditional technique. It can increase accuracy and effective depth of pin position, enable patients to obtain pelvic mechanical stability quickly after operation, and reduce the risk of complications related to nail path.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of three-dimensional (3D) printing guide plate on improving femoral rotational alignment and patellar tracking in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsBetween January 2018 and October 2018, 60 patients (60 knees) with advanced knee osteoarthritis who received TKA and met the selection criteria were selected as the study subjects. Patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the random number table method, with 30 patients in each group. The TKA was done with the help of 3D printing guide plate in the guide group and following traditional procedure in the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, side, and preoperative hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), posterior condylar angle (PCA), patella transverse axis-femoral transepicondylar axis angle (PFA), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and American Knee Society (AKS) score (P>0.05).ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention and no complications related to the operation occurred. All patients were followed up 10-12 months, with an average of 11 months. HSS score and AKS score of the two groups at 6 months after operation were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative X-ray films showed that the prosthesis was in good position, and no prosthesis loosening or sinking occurred during follow-up. HKA, PCA, and PFA significantly improved in the two groups at 10 months after operation compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in HKA at 10 months between the two groups (t=1.031, P=0.307). PCA and PFA in the guide group were smaller than those in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionApplication of 3D printing guide plate in TKA can not only correct the deformity of the knee joint and alleviate the pain symptoms, but also achieve the goal of the accurate femoral rotation alignment and good patellar tracking.
Objective To explore the application of personalized guide plate combined with intraoperative real-time navigation in repairing of mandibular defect using fibula muscle flap, providing the basis for the precise repair and reconstruction of mandible. Methods The clinical data of 12 patients (9 males and 3 females) aged from 23 to 71 years (mean, 55.5 years) between July 2019 and December 2021 were recorded. These patients were diagnosed as benign or malignant mandibular tumors, including 2 cases of ameloblastoma, 6 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases of osteosarcoma, 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 1 case of squamous carcinoma. All patients were treated with mandibular amputation, and then repaired by double-stacked three-segment fibula muscle flap. Preoperative virtual design scheme and guide plate were performed. During the operation, personalized guide plate combined with real-time navigation was used for fibular osteotomy and shaping. Thin-slice CT examination was performed at 2-3 weeks after operation, and was fitted with the preoperative virtual design scheme. The difference between the distance of bilateral mandibular angles relative to the reference plane in three-dimensional directions (left-right, vertical, and anterior-posterior) and the difference of the medial angle of the lower edge of the mandible reconstructed by fibula were measured, and the mean error of chromatographic fitting degree was calculated. Results The guide plate and navigation were applied well, and the fibula shaping and positioning were accurate. The fibula muscle flap survived, the incision healed well, and the occlusal relationship was good. All 12 patients were followed up 1-29 months, with an average of 17 months. There was no significant difference on the distance of bilateral mandibular angles relative to the reference plane in the left-right [(−0.24±1.35) mm; t=−0.618, P=0.549], vertical [−0.85 (−1.35, 1.40) mm; Z=−0.079, P=0.937], and anterior-posterior [(−0.46±0.78) mm; t=−2.036, P=0.067] directions. The difference of the medial angle of the lower edge of the mandible reconstructed by fibula was also not significant [(−1.35±4.34)°; t=−1.081, P=0.303)]. Postoperative CT and preoperative virtual design fitting verified that there was no significant difference in the change of the mandibular angle on both sides, and the average error was (0.47±1.39) mm. ConclusionThe personalized guide combined with intraoperative real-time navigation improves the accuracy of peroneal muscle flap reconstruction of the mandible, reduces the complications, and provides a preliminary basis for the application of visual intraoperative navigation in fibula muscle flap reconstruction of the mandible.
ObjectiveTo investigate the mid-term effectiveness of three‐dimensional (3D) printed osteotomy guide plate and personalized prosthesis in knee‐preserving tumor resection. Methods The clinical data of 12 patients who underwent knee‐preserving tumor resection and reconstruction with 3D printed osteotomy guide plate and personalized prosthesis between September 2016 and October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 5 females. The age ranged from 7 to 59 years, with a median of 44.5 years. There were 11 cases of osteosarcoma and 1 case of fibrosarcoma, all of which were Enneking grade ⅡB. The distance from the tumor to the joint surface was 5.5-8.2 cm, with an average of 6.94 cm. Incision healing, tumor recurrence, periprosthetic fracture, and aseptic loosening were observed after operation. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system was used to evaluate the function of the patients, and the knee flexion range of motion was measured. ResultsThe 12 patients were followed up 41-66 months, with an average of 54.5 months. The length of osteotomy ranged from 14 to 26 cm, with an average of 22.08 cm. Except for 2 patients with superficial infection of incision tissue, no deep infection involving the prosthesis occurred, no patient underwent revision surgery because of prosthesis infection. During the follow-up, local recurrence occurred in 2 cases and distant metastasis occurred in 3 cases. The overall disease-free survival rate was 58.3%. Two patients died of lung metastasis, and the overall survival rate was 83.3%. One patient underwent amputation due to local recurrence, and 1 patient underwent total knee arthroplasty due to prosthesis rupture. No aseptic loosening of the prosthesis and periprosthetic fracture occurred during the follow-up, and the overall prosthesis survival rate was 83.3%. At last follow-up, 10 patients obtained satisfactory knee flexion range of motion that ranged from 95° to 125°, with an average of 110°. Two children could not cooperate with early rehabilitation treatment due to pain, and the knee flexion range of motion was not ideal (50°, 75°). All patients achieved acceptable lower limb function with MSTS scores ranged from 26 to 30, with an average of 28. All patients walked without crutches. ConclusionThe treatment of malignant bone tumors around the knee joint with 3D printed osteotomy guide plate and personalized prosthesis can preserve the articular surface, obtain good limb function, reduce the risk of aseptic loosening of prosthesis, and achieve better mid-term effectiveness.
Objective To explore the feasibility and early effectiveness of computer-simulated osteotomy based on the health-side combined with guide plate technique in the treatment of cubitus varus deformity in adolescents. Methods The clinical data of 23 patients with cubitus varus deformity who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 17 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 4 to 16 years with an average of 8.5 years. The time from injury to operation was 1-4 years. The angle of distal humerus rotation was defined by humeral head posterior inclination angle using low radiation dose CT to scan the patient’s upper extremity data at one time, and the preoperative rotation of the distal humerus on the affected side was (33.82±4.39)°. The CT plain scan data were imported into 9yuan3D digital orthopaedic system (V3.34 software) to reconstruct three-dimensional images of both upper extremities. The simulated operation was performed with the healthy upper extremity as the reference, the best osteotomy scheme was planned, overlapped and compared, and the osteotomy guide plate was prepared. The patients were followed up regularly after operation, and the formation of callus in the osteotomy area was observed by X-ray examination. Before and after operation, the carrying angle of both upper extremities (the angle of cubitus valgus was positive, and the angle of cubitus varus was negative) and anteversion angle were measured on X-ray and CT images. At the same time, the flexion and extension range of motion of elbow joint and the external rotation range of motion of upper extremity were measured, and Mayo score was used to evaluate the function of elbow joint. ResultsThe operation time ranged from 34 to 46 minutes, with an average of 39 minutes. All patients were followed up 5-26 months, with a mean of 14.9 months. All the incisions healed by first intention after the operation; 2 patients had nail path irritation symptoms after Kirschner wire fixation, which improved after dressing change; no complication such as breakage and loosening of internal fixators occurred after regular X-ray review. Continuous callus formed at the osteotomy end at 4 weeks after operation, and the osteotomy end healed at 8-12 weeks after operation. At last follow-up, the carrying angle, anteversion angle, external rotation range of motion, and extension and flexion range of motion of the elbow joint of the affected side significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). Except for the extension range of motion of the healthy elbow joint (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in other indicators between the two sides (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the Mayo elbow score was 85-100, with an average of 99.3; 22 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. ConclusionComputer-simulated osteotomy based on health-side combined with guide plate technique for treating cubitus varus deformity in adolescents can achieve precise osteotomy, which has the advantages of short operation time and easy operation, and the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of sacroiliac screw implantation assisted by three-dimensional (3D) printed faceted honeycomb guide plate in the treatment of posterior pelvic ring fracture. Methods The clinical data of 40 patients with posterior pelvic ring fractures treated with sacroiliac screw implantation between December 2019 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 18 cases were treated with sacroiliac screws fixation assisted by 3D printed faceted honeycomb guide plate (guide plate group), and 22 cases were treated with sacroiliac screws percutaneously fixation under fluoroscopy (conventional group). There was no significant difference in baseline data (P>0.05) such as gender, age, time from injury to operation, and Dennis classification between the two groups. The implantation time, frequency of C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy, frequency of guide pin adjustment of each sacroiliac screw, and postoperative complications and bone healing were recorded. Majeed score was used to evaluate the functional recovery at 6 months after operation, and CT was used to observe whether the screw penetrated the bone cortex. The deviation between the virtual position and the actual position of the screw tip, the sacral foramen, and the screw entry point was measured on the sagittal CT images of the guide plate group. Results The number of screws implanted in S1 and S2 vertebral bodies was 14 and 16 respectively in the guide plate group, and 17 and 18 respectively in the conventional group. The implantation time of each sacroiliac screw, the frequency of C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy, and the frequency of guide pin adjustment in S1, S2, and all vertebrae in the guide plate group were significantly less than those in the conventional group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 8-48 months, with an average of 19.7 months. There was no incision infection, screw displacement, or internal fixation loosening in both groups. Callus growth was observed in all patients at 12 weeks after operation, and bone healing was achieved in all patients. The healing time ranged from 12 to 24 weeks, with an average of 15.7 weeks. No sacroiliac screw penetrated the bone cortex in the guide plate group; 2 patients in the conventional group had sacroiliac screws penetrating the bone cortex without damaging blood vessels or nerves. In the guide plate group, the deviation between the virtual position and the actual position of the screw tip, the sacral foramen, and the screw entry point were (2.91±1.01), (2.10±0.74), and (1.67±0.70) mm, respectively, with an average deviation of (2.19±1.22) mm. There was no significant difference in Majeed function evaluation between the two groups at 6 months after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion The application of 3D printed faceted honeycomb guide plate in sacroiliac screw implantation for posterior pelvic ring fracture can shorten the screw implantation time, reduce the frequency of fluoroscopy and guide pin adjustment, and reduce the risk of screw penetration through the bone cortex.