A 3D-printed Personalized, Combined, Modular Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy Guide Plate System: An Experimental Study

Area of Science:

• Spinal Surgery
• Orthopedic Technology
• 3D Printing Applications

Background:

• Effective osteotomy is crucial for successful spinal orthopedic treatment.
• Three-dimensional (3D)-printed osteotomy plates offer potential for preoperative surgical planning.
• The anatomical complexity of the spine presents challenges for clinical application of 3D-printed osteotomy plates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a three-dimensional (3D)-printed pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) guide plate system.
• To evaluate the accuracy of osteotomy using this 3D guide plate system.

Main Methods:

• Computed tomography (CT) scans from 10 patients with thoracolumbar spinal deformities were used.
• Computer-aided design software facilitated reconstruction and reduction of vertebrae, followed by osteotomy plate design.
• The 3D-printed spinal model and guide plate were utilized for simulated PSO, with accuracy assessed via postoperative CT scans.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printed guide plate and spine model were successfully employed in 10 simulated PSO cases.
• Comparison between preoperative designs and postoperative outcomes revealed excellent osteotomy results.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D-printed PSO guide plate system is suitable for preoperative osteotomy planning.
• The system demonstrates good accuracy, supporting its potential for clinical application in PSO procedures.