Can custom 3D printed implants successfully reconstruct massive acetabular defects? A 3D-CT assessment

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• Radiology

Background:

• Large acetabular defects pose significant challenges in hip revision surgery.
• Custom implants offer a potential solution for complex anatomical reconstructions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy of custom 3D printed titanium acetabular component positioning using postoperative 3D computed tomography (CT).
• To assess clinical outcomes including component accuracy, range of motion, and complication rates.

Main Methods:

• Twenty patients with large acetabular defects received custom acetabular implants.
• Postoperative 3D CT scans were compared with preoperative 3D CT-generated plans to measure component position accuracy in six degrees of freedom.
• Clinical outcomes included Oxford hip score, walking status, and complication assessment.

Main Results:

• 100% of components were within 10 mm of the planned center of rotation.
• 95% of components had rotation within 10° of the planned position.
• 58% of components were within 5° of the planned inclination and version.

Conclusions:

• Custom 3D printed acetabular implants demonstrate high accuracy in positioning for large acetabular defects.
• This approach shows promising clinical outcomes and accuracy in complex hip revision surgery.
• Postoperative 3D CT is a valuable tool for assessing implant positioning accuracy.