A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 3D Printing Technology for the Treatment of Acetabular Fractures

Abstract

Purpose. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has been widely used in orthopedics surgery. However, its efficacy in acetabular fractures remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effect of using 3D printing technology in the surgery for acetabular fractures. Methods. The systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. Four major electronic databases were searched (inception to February 2021). Studies were screened using a priori criteria. Data from each study were extracted by two independent reviewers and organized using a standardized table. Data were pooled and presented in forest plots. Results. Thirteen studies were included in the final analysis. Four were prospective randomized trials, and nine used a retrospective comparative design. The patients aged between 32.1 (SD 14.6) years and 51.9 (SD 18.9) years. Based on the pooled analyses, overall, 3D printing-assisted surgery decreased operation time by 38.8 minutes (95% CI: -54.9, -22.8), intraoperative blood loss by 259.7 ml (95% CI: -394.6, -124.9), instrumentation time by 34.1 minutes (95% CI: -49.0, -19.1). Traditional surgery was less likely to achieve good/excellent function of hip (RR, 0.53; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.82) and more likely to have complications than 3D printing-assisted surgery (RR, 1.19; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.33). Conclusions. 3D printing technology demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of acetabular fractures. It may improve surgery-related and clinical outcomes. More prospective studies using a rigorous design (e.g., randomized trial with blinding) are warranted to confirm the long-term effects of 3D printing technology in orthopedics surgeries.

Does 3D Printing-Assisted Acetabular or Pelvic Fracture Surgery Shorten Hospitalization Durations among Older Adults?

“…The longer the operation time, the higher the risks of anesthesia-and surgery-related complications. In the application of 3D printing techniques, there has been great progress and increased use in the past 10 years [21][22][23]. Our team previously published research on 3D printing-technology-assisted pelvic fracture surgery, which can shorten operation times and reduce the amount of bleeding.…”

Fracture-Related Infection in Bicolumnar Acetabular Fracture: A Case Report

“…3D reconstruction and the 3D-printed model played a leading role. According to recent literature, using a 3D-printed model helps orthopaedic surgeons understand the spatial relationships between the fragments of the fracture and how to manage them during the surgical procedure [ 19 ].…”

Commentary: Meta-Analysis of 3D Printing Applications in Traumatic Fractures

“…Overall, implementation of 3D printing-assisted surgeries for traumatic fractures requires a mounting amount of evidence before it is considered the standard of care. Despite this, the sound methodology provided by Yang et al ( 11 ), Mitsouras et al ( 16 ), and Cao et al ( 17 ) provides a foundational level of data for the implementation of such tools, as well as engenders further study into associated costs, return to function, and involvement of international patients.…”