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Application of three-dimensional printed navigation templates to correct lower limb deformities in children by the
Minjie Fan1, Yinming Wang1, Haotian Pang1
1Department of Orthopaedic surgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Insights
3D printed navigation templates simplify guided growth surgery for pediatric lower limb deformities. This technique reduces operation time and X-ray exposure, proving beneficial for children requiring corrective procedures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Individualized navigation templates are underutilized in pediatric orthopedic surgery.
- Guided growth techniques using 8-plates are common for correcting lower limb deformities in children.
- Computer-aided design and 3D printing offer potential for creating patient-specific surgical tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3D printed navigation templates in guided growth surgery for pediatric lower limb deformities.
- To compare the surgical outcomes between using navigation templates and traditional methods.
- To assess the impact of navigation templates on operation time, radiation exposure, and complications.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 45 children with leg length discrepancy or angular deformities.
- Division into two groups: navigation template (n=21) and traditional surgery (n=24).
- Design and 3D printing of navigation templates using Mimics software; guided growth with 8-plates used in both groups.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant reduction in mean operation time for the navigation template group (20.78 min) compared to the traditional group (28.39 min).
- Average reduction of 25% in intraoperative X-ray exposure in the navigation template group.
- Successful deformity correction in both groups after 9-24 months follow-up, with no significant difference in treatment effect or complications.
Conclusions:
- 3D printed navigation templates enhance the convenience and simplicity of guided growth surgery for pediatric lower limb deformities.
- The use of these templates leads to reduced operation time and intraoperative radiation exposure.
- 3D printed navigation templates are a valuable tool for accurate corrective surgeries in children and warrant wider adoption.
Objective:
Currently, individualized navigation templates are rarely applied in pediatric orthopedic surgery. This study aimed to explore the potential of navigation templates obtained using computer-aided design and three-dimensional (3D) printing to correct lower limb deformities in children by the guided growth technique.
Methods:
We prospectively studied 45 children with leg length discrepancy (LLD) or lower limb angular deformities, who underwent guided growth surgery involving 8-plate. In total, 21 and 24 children were included in the navigation template (group A) group and in the traditional surgery (group B) group, respectively. Mimics software was used for designing and printing navigation templates. The operation time, X-ray radiation exposure, damage to cartilage, and postoperative complications were recorded.
Results:
The mean operation time in groups A and B were 20.78 and 28.39 min, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with group B, the intraoperative exposure of X-rays in group A was reduced by 25% on average. After 9-24 months of follow-up, the deformities were corrected in both groups. No significant differences in the treatment effect were noted between the groups, and no complications occurred.
Conclusions:
Using the individualized navigation template in the guided growth technique made the surgical procedure convenient and simple to perform. In addition, the operation time and intraoperative exposure to X-rays were reduced. We consider that 3D printed navigation templates can facilitate the accurate completion of corrective surgeries for lower limb deformities in children, which is worthy of promotion and application.
