Novel Coronoid Reconstruction Using a Patient-Specific 3-Dimensional Metal-Printed Prosthesis and Guide for...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• 3D printing technology

Background:

• Severe comminuted coronoid fractures compromise elbow stability and often require reconstruction.
• Autologous bone grafts have limitations, and patient-specific coronoid prostheses are not yet commercially available.
• Existing treatment options for complex coronoid fractures are insufficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel patient-specific coronoid prosthesis using 3D metal printing technology.
• To evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of this prosthesis in patients with comminuted coronoid fractures.
• To provide a viable alternative for cases where conventional fixation is not feasible.

Main Methods:

• Cadaveric validation was performed to refine the surgical approach and prosthesis design.
• 3D computed tomography was used for mirroring, registration, and defining the cutting plane.
• A patient-specific coronoid prosthesis and cutting guide were developed and applied to two patients.

Main Results:

• The integrated prosthesis and cutting guide demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes over one year of follow-up.
• Radiologic assessments showed no joint surface irregularities or prosthesis-related complications.
• Complete bony integration was observed around 6 months postoperatively, attributed to the titanium mesh structure.

Conclusions:

• Patient-specific coronoid prostheses developed with 3D printing achieve good clinical and radiologic outcomes with anatomical conformity.
• This novel approach offers a promising alternative for treating comminuted coronoid fractures where fixation is challenging.
• The technology may improve recovery and function in patients with complex elbow injuries.