Virtual 3D models facilitate personalized treatment of complex acetabular fractures: Study

Netherlands: Virtual 3D models based on CT data can be used for providing patient-specific treatments and surgical planning for patients with complex acetabular fractures, finds a recent study in the journal JAMA Network Open.

According to the study, 3-D virtual surgical planning, manufacturing, and clinical application of patient-specific osteosynthesis plates and drilling guides was feasible and yielded good clinical outcomes.

Fast-track personalized surgical treatment could open a new era for complex injuries treatment, the authors noted. 

Achieving an optimal reconstruction of the articular surface decreases osteoarthritis risk and the subsequent need for total hip arthroplasty in acetabular fracture surgery. However, owing to the differences in fracture patterns and variations in pelvic anatomy, no one-size-fits-all osteosynthesis plate is available. Currently, plates need to be manually contoured intraoperatively, that often results in inadequate reduction and fixation of the fractured segments. 

Frank F. A. IJpma, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands, and colleagues, therefore, aimed to determine the feasibility and accuracy of a novel concept of fast-track 3-dimensional (3-D) virtual surgical planning and patient-specific osteosynthesis for complex acetabular fracture surgery.

For the purpose, the researchers performed a case series study that examined the use of patient-specific osteosynthesis plates for patients who required operative treatment for displaced associated-type acetabular fractures at a tertiary university-affiliated referral center and level 1 trauma center between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018.

The researchers created 3-D models based on computed tomography (CT) data, fractures were virtually reduced, and implant positions were discussed in a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and engineers. Patient-specific osteosynthesis plates with drilling guides were designed, produced, sterilized and clinically applied within 4 days. Data were analyzed at the 1-year follow-up.

The primary outcome was the quality of the reduction as determined by the postoperative CT scan. The secondary outcomes were accuracy of the screw placement and clinical outcome using patient-reported outcome measures.

The series included a total of 10 patients with an acetabular fracture. 

"These findings suggest that 3-D virtual surgical planning, manufacturing, and clinical application of patient-specific osteosynthesis plates and drilling guides was feasible and yielded good clinical outcomes. Fast-track personalized surgical treatment could open a new era for the treatment of complex injuries," concluded the authors.

The study titled, "Feasibility of Imaging-Based 3-Dimensional Models to Design Patient-Specific Osteosynthesis Plates and Drilling Guides," is published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

DOI: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2776551