Application of Three-Dimensionally Printed Surgical Guides in Precise Sacral Tumor Excision and Defect Reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Oncology
• Surgical Technology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Sacral tumor resection is challenging due to deep location and proximity to vital structures.
• Conventional freehand techniques can lead to incomplete resection and complications.
• Patient-specific 3D-printed templates offer a potential solution for improved surgical accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of patient-specific 3D-printed guiding templates in sacral tumor resection and reconstruction.
• To compare surgical accuracy and perioperative outcomes between 3D-printed template-guided surgery and conventional freehand techniques.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 19 patients with sacral tumors (S1-S3) undergoing resection and reconstruction.
• Comparison of a 3D-printing group (n=10) using custom templates versus a conventional freehand group (n=9).
• Evaluation of operative time, blood loss, fluoroscopic exposure, osteotomy accuracy, complication rates, and hospital stay.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printing group showed significantly shorter operative times (p=0.012), reduced blood loss (p=0.034), and fewer fluoroscopic exposures (p<0.001).
• Superior osteotomy accuracy was observed in the 3D-printing group (p=0.0012).
• Hospital stay was significantly shorter (p<0.001) in the 3D-printing group, with comparable complication rates.

Conclusions:

• Patient-specific 3D-printed guiding templates significantly enhance surgical precision and efficiency in sacral tumor surgery.
• This computer-assisted approach improves perioperative safety and outcomes for complex sacral oncologic procedures.
• 3D-printed templates represent a valuable advancement in the surgical management of sacral tumors.