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The use of Three-Dimensional Printing in Orthopaedics: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Olivia O'Connor1,2,3, Reece Patel1,2,3, Azeem Thahir1
1Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Addenbrookes Major Trauma Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals, United Kingdom.
The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
|July 29, 2024
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) printing in orthopaedics significantly reduces operative time, blood loss, and fluoroscopy use. This technology offers substantial benefits for surgical procedures, enhancing patient outcomes and surgeon efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Medical Technology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- 3D printing is a rapidly advancing technology with diverse applications in orthopaedics, including surgical planning, custom instrumentation, and prosthetics.
- Despite evidence of favorable outcomes in various orthopaedic pathologies, 3D printing is not yet standard practice in orthopaedic surgery.
- The potential benefits and widespread applications of 3D printing in orthopaedics warrant further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze the existing literature on the use of 3D printing in orthopaedic surgery.
- To evaluate the advantages and impact of 3D printing on key surgical outcome measures.
- To demonstrate the broad applicability of 3D printing across different orthopaedic subspecialties.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.
- Searches were performed across multiple databases (AMED, EMBASE, EMCARE, HMIC, PsycINFO, PubMed, BNI, CINAHL, Medline) up to November 8, 2020.
- Included studies encompassed clinical trials, journal articles, RCTs, and case series, with primary outcomes including operative time, blood loss, fluoroscopy time, bone fusion time, and hospital stay.
Main Results:
- Sixty-five studies met inclusion criteria, with 15 suitable for meta-analysis (609 patients).
- 3D printing demonstrated significant reductions in operative time (SMD = -1.30), intraoperative blood loss (SMD = -1.58), and intraoperative fluoroscopy time (SMD = -1.86).
- No significant differences were found in the length of hospital stay or post-operative bone fusion time.
Conclusions:
- The use of 3D printing in orthopaedics leads to measurable improvements in key surgical outcomes.
- Reduced operative time, blood loss, and fluoroscopy utilization highlight the advantages of integrating 3D printing into surgical practice.
- As 3D printing technology matures and its applications expand, it is poised to become an indispensable tool for orthopaedic surgeons.
