3D Printed replica of articular fractures for surgical planning and patient consent: a two years multi-centric experience

BACKGROUND: CT scanning with 3D reconstructed images are currently used to study articular fractures in orthopedic and trauma surgery. A 3D-Printer creates solid objects, starting from a 3D Computer representation. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report from two year of multicenter experience in 3D printing of articular fractures. DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION: During the study period, 102 patients (distal radius fractures, radial head, tibial plateau, astragalus, calcaneus, ankle, humeral head and glenoid) underwent 3D printing. The medical models were used by surgeons to appreciate the dislocation of fragments and the yielding of the articular surface. In addition, models were showed to patient as part of the acquisition of the informed consent before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: 3D printing of articular fractures are innovative procedures that achieve a preoperative tangible, highly useful evaluation of the fractures to plan intervention and educate patients.