[Preliminary application of three dimensional printing personalized navigation template in assisting total elbow...

To explore the clinical methods of resection of elbow tumor and total elbow replacement with custom personalized prosthesis based on three dimensional (3-D) printing navigation template.

In August 2016, a 63-year-old male patient with left elbow joint tumor was treated, with the discovery of the left distal humerus huge mass over 3 months, with elbow pain, activity limitation of admission. Computer-assisted reduction technique combined with 3-D printing was used to simulate preoperative tumor resection, a customized personal prosthesis was developed; tumor was accurately excised during operation, and the clinical result was evaluated after operation.

The time was 46 minutes for tumor resection, and was 95 minutes for personalized implant and allograft bone without fluoroscopy. X-ray and CT examination at 1 week after operation showed good position of artificial elbow joint; the anteversion of ulna prosthesis was 30° and the elbow carrying angle was 15°, which were consistent with the simulated results before surgery. The finger flexion was normal at 1 month after operation; the range of motion was 0-130° for elbow flexion and extension, 80° for forearm pronation, and 80° for forearm supination. The elbow function was able to meet the needs of daily life at 7 months after operation, and no recurrence and metastasis of tumor were observed.

For limb salvage of elbow joint, computer aided design can make preoperative surgical simulation; the navigation template can improve surgical precision; and the function of elbow joint can be reconstructed with customized and personlized prosthesis for total elbow replacement.