3D models improve hospital's orthopedic surgeries.

The Prince of Wales Hospital adopted a Fortus® 3D Production System that uses FDM Technology™ to print both surgical guides and surgical tools. Before using 3D models to prepare for surgical procedures, most surgeons at the Prince of Wales Hospital relied on their experience and CT scans to visualize and plan the operation. Validating their planned approach took place in the operating room. Preparing for an operation using 3D printed models shortens the surgical process and increases operation accuracy and success rate.

 

“Patients’ 3D printed bone models are used to test different positions of stabilizing plates or screws. 3D printing allows in-depth assessment and pre-surgical rehearsal, resulting in a smooth operation process in which implants are more accurately fitted to the curvature of the patient’s bone,” Leung said. “The risk of bleeding and subsequent infection is also reduced.”

One of the most common incision sites in bone cancer surgeries is at the end of the femur, close to the knee joint. Accuracy of an incision site is critical to completely remove the tumor and reconstruct a functioning extremity. Correcting pelvic fractures from car accidents – another routine hospital procedure – also requires extreme precision. For complex procedures, such as determining the angle of screw placement and location of metal implants, 3D models provide the trial space necessary to gain the accuracy desired.

Prince of Wales Hospital uses 3D printing in cases ranging from corrective osteotomy (re-alignment of bone from deformity) to complex bone fractures from car accidents. On average, operation time was reduced by an hour when incorporating 3D printed parts in the pre-surgical process.

Elvis Chun-sing Chui, biomedical engineer at the Orthopaedic Learning Centre of CUHK, said, “The adoption of 3D printing provides a platform to experiment with innovative surgical approaches. Moreover, it enhances the communication between medical practitioners and patients. Patients better understand the diagnosis and treatments with the aid of the 3D printed parts.” 

In addition to printing surgical guides, CUHK and Prince of Wales Hospital have further extended their applications to printing small, single-use surgical tools.

 

 

For example, frequently it’s helpful for orthopedic surgeons to use a guide to ensure accurate screw placement before inserting them into the bone. These small plastic guides are custom made for each individual patient, based on their unique anatomy and surgical procedure. And because the Fortus 3D Production System can build with PC-ISO®, a biocompatible thermoplastic that is sterilizable, the clinician can use the guides on patients directly from the 3D printer. In one case, the 3D printed guide only cost approximately HKD100 – several times less than traditional manufacturing costs, and much quicker as well.

“3D printing helps us advance medical research and development,” said Leung. “It [3D printing] offers ample potential in both the surgical guides and surgical tools areas. And, the cost saved from using 3D printing can now be used for research and development, ultimately benefiting patients, surgeons and researchers.”