3D printing provides accuracy, precision to surgical treatment of multiple rib fractures

Rib model made with preoperative Computed Tomography (CT) scan assisted 3D printing may offer a more minimally invasive and precisely individualized treatment for some rib fracture operations, revealed a study published in the Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

The study reported 5 clinical cases of patients with multiple rib fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation using 3D printing technology.

Rib fractures account for a fairly high proportion of chest injuries, ranging from 55 to 80%. The most common mechanisms of injury include traffic accident, extrusion and falls from significant heights. Besides, the surgical treatment of multiple rib fractures has been accepted by more and more medical professionals. Three-dimensional printing or 3D printing technology has grown in various medical fields, among which its advantages have been highlighted in fracture treatment. 3D printing technology enables rapid construction of accurate, complete individual fracture models so that surgeons can perform surgery with models.

The authors retrospectively analyzed 5 clinical cases of multiple rib fractures from January 2017 to August 2018. to reconstruct the 3D model, they have a preoperative CT thin slice. The 3D printed rib model was prepared according to the scanning results. Preoperative reconstruction of the rib’s normal shape and lock plate for the shaped ribs was created according to the reconstructed model. For multiple fractures especially patients with severely deformed rib shape, it is suggested to intraoperative shape directly to the metal bone plate fixed on the ribs on both ends of the fracture line, in order to establish a basic support frame. The other various fracture section can be fixed on the lock plate respectively.

Postoperative chest radiographs of the 5 patients showed that the internal fixations were in good and natural shape. The thoracic contour was well formed and symmetrically with the contralateral side.

The authors concluded that making the rib model and the pre-shaped titanium alloy rib locking plate using 3D printing technology, provided a more minimally invasive and precisely individualized treatment for some rib fracture operations.

For further reference, click on the link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13019-019-0930-y