3D-Printed prosthesis for recurrent femoral metastasis with periprosthetic infection: A case report

3D-printed prosthesis replacement is increasingly applied for reconstruction following resection of malignant bone tumors. However, the management of postoperative tumor recurrence with periprosthetic infection following surgery remains challenging, as clinical manifestations and imaging features can be obscured by or mimic tumor recurrence, periprosthetic biofilms render conventional antibiotics ineffective and large segmental bone defects limit reconstructive options. The present study reports the case of a 53-year-old female patient with cervical cancer who developed femoral metastasis and tumor recurrence with periprosthetic infection. A customized anatomically matched femoral prosthesis was designed using 3D printing technology. The patient underwent tumor resection, debridement and implantation of the custom prosthesis, followed by prolonged antibiotic therapy. The infection was effectively controlled and limb salvage was achieved. At 1 year postoperative follow-up, the patient was able to ambulate without assistance and reported no notable pain. Personalized 3D-printed prosthesis combined with appropriate antibiotic therapy may offer an effective treatment option for recurrent bone tumors complicated by infection and large segmental bone defects.