The application of digital design and three-dimensional printing technology in the surgical treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures
WANG Meng
ZHENG Dong
BAI Ke-wen
ZHOU Xue-feng
PENG Jun
BAO Lei
ZHOU Jia-ning
Abstract：Objective To investigate the application of 3D printing and digital technology based on CT thin-layer scanning data in preoperative assessment and planning of internal fixation surgery for intra-articular calcaneal fractures.Methods From Jan.2015 to Mar.2016,19 cases with intra-articular calcaneal fractures were selected for the surgery.Among the patients, 17 were males and 2 were females with an average age of 38.8(21-56) years.Fifteen cases were injured from high falling,3 from falls and 1 from road traffic accident.All fractures were unilateral and fresh.According to Sander`s classification,there were 9 cases of type Ⅱ,and 10 cases of type Ⅲ.The date of thin-slice CT scan was imported into Mimics software as DICOM format.Three-dimensional reconstruction of the fracture model was performed on the CT image segmentation,regional growth and mask editing by Mimics software.3D printing technology was used to print the fracture models.3D printing model was used for the operative planning of digital design and the simulation operation was completed.Then the operation was implemented according to the parameters in virtual preoperative design,such as fixation position of the plates,the pre-bending of the steel plate,the direction and length of the screw and other parameters used in the actual operation.Results Based on thin-slice CT scan data,3D printing solid model intuitively showed real form characteristics of the intra-articular calcaneal fractures.The plate location,direction of screw,screw length and the preliminary shaping of plate were determined in the preoperative simulation operation of all 8 cases.After smooth operation,the parameters of orientation,length,diameter,and angle in the operation were all consistent with the preoperative plan.The postoperative X-ray films showed good reduction,satisfactory fixation,and plate and screw in good position.Conclusion 3D printing technology based on thin-slice CT scan data can be used to quickly create a solid model of intra-articular calcaneal fracture for virtual simulation surgery and protocol design of surgery.This technique can be applied for the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with good clinical feasibility.
Keywords：calcaneal fracturethree-dimensional printingsimulation operationdigital design
Publication Date：2017-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 421-425 )