3D Printing for Pre-operative Planning in Complex Cases of Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Case Series
2Division of Adult Joint Reconstruction, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Israel
3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Israel
4Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Israel
Background:
Digital templating is an essential aspect of pre-operative planning for total joint arthroplasty procedures. For complex cases of joint reconstruction, the standard templating software is insufficient to achieve the desired accuracy. 3D printing significantly aids the pre-operative planning in complicated cases of joint reconstruction and offers immense potential towards improving outcomes in these cases. In this series, we presented the various ways in which 3D printing has facilitated complex cases of lower extremity reconstruction.
Methods:
Data was retrospectively retrieved for all patients that underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with the aid of 3D printing technology at our institution between January 2016 – February 2021.
Results:
The final study population consisted of 39 patients that underwent TKA or THA procedures with the use of 3D printing. Twenty-eight of the (71.8%) underwent THA procedures whereas 11 of the patients (28.2%) underwent TKA operations. Following surgery, all patients demonstrated improved patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) and an improved visual analogue scale (VAS).
Conclusions:
This is the first report that presents the results of 3D printing technology in an orthopaedic department in the country. The following series demonstrates the ability by which 3D printing facilitates complex cases of hip and knee reconstruction, improving patients’ clinical and functional outcomes. 3D printing has the potential to improve outcomes in complex cases across departments country-wide.