Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026
07:45
The Use of Mixed Reality in Custom-Made Revision Hip Arthroplasty: A First Case Report
Published on: August 4, 2022
3.9K
3D-Printed Patient-Specific Guides Reduce Femoral Tunnel Convergence in Anatomic Knee Multiligament Reconstruction:
Yigit Umur Cirdi1, Burak Serteser2,3, Arda Mavi4
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
|March 9, 2026
Summary
Patient-specific guides significantly improve surgical accuracy in multiligament knee reconstruction by reducing tunnel convergence. This technique enhances precision compared to freehand methods, minimizing risks associated with tunnel placement errors.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Biomechanical engineering
Background:
- Multiligament knee reconstruction is complex, with potential complications arising from technical inaccuracies.
- Optimal tunnel placement is crucial but challenging to achieve consistently in practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of patient-specific guides in enhancing surgical precision and preventing tunnel convergence during multiligament knee reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Eight surgeons performed simulated tunnel placements on 3D-printed femur models using both freehand and patient-specific guide techniques.
- Computed tomography evaluated tunnel convergence, intertunnel distances, and entry point accuracy for anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and other collateral structures.
Main Results:
- Patient-specific guides eliminated tunnel convergence, whereas freehand techniques showed significant convergence (11/16 lateral, 10/16 medial).
- Mean intertunnel distances were greater with guides, and tunnel entry accuracy reached 100%.
Conclusions:
- Patient-specific guides substantially reduce tunnel convergence and improve precision in simulated multiligament knee reconstructions.
- The study highlights the significant impact of human error in freehand tunnel placement.
