The application of 3D-printing technology in pelvic bone tumor surgery*

Background: Three-dimensional (3D)-printing technology provides an advanced approach to pelvic bone tumor resection and reconstruction. However, only a few cases of pelvic bone tumor surgery using 3Dprinting have been reported due to limited time since the introduction of the new implant. This study introduces pelvic bone tumor surgeries using 3D-printed bone-cutting guides and implants. Methods: This single-center retrospective review included 12 patients who underwent malignant pelvic bone tumor surgeries using a 3D-printed bone-cutting guide and/or implant. Clinical information was collected regarding patient demographics, tumor characteristics, pathologic diagnosis, surgery details, and functional recovery. Results: Type I internal hemipelvectomy was performed using 3D-printed bone-cutting guides for 4 patients that underwent cavitary bone tumor resection of the ilium. For 3 of these 4 patients, cavitary bone defects were filled with structural allobone graft precisely trimmed by the 3D-printed allograftshaping guide (n = 1) and 3D-printed mesh-style titanium spacer (n = 2). For type II and III areas, one and two patients, respectively, underwent 3D-printing-assisted surgery. Five patients underwent type I, II, and III pelvic resection using 3D-printed cutting guides and reconstruction with 3D-printed implants. In all patients, independent gait was recovered except for a patient who underwent hindquarter amputation 4 months postoperatively because of local recurrence. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary, short-term data on the efficacy and safety of pelvic bone tumor surgery using 3D-printing. (c)? 2020 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study presents the method and results of pelvic bone tumor surgeries using 3D printing technology, demonstrating the potential application of this technology in surgeries.