A Graphic Overlay Method for Selection of Osteotomy Site in Chronic XXXX : An Evaluation of 3D-printed Bone Models.

@entity1 @entity86 @entity8244
PURPOSE: Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography imaging is now being used to generate 3D models for planning orthopaedic surgery, but the process remains time consuming and expensive. For chronic @entity8244 , we have designed a graphic overlay approach that employs selected 3D computer images and widely available software to simplify the process of osteotomy site selection. METHODS: We studied 5 @entity1 (2 traumatic and 3 congenital) with unilateral @entity8244 . These @entity1 were treated with surgery based on traditional radiographs, but they also had full sets of 3D CT imaging done both before and after their surgery: these 3D CT images form the basis for this study. From the 3D CT images, each @entity1 generated 3 sets of 3D-printed bone models: 2 copies of the preoperative condition, and 1 copy of the @entity86 . One set of the preoperative models was then actually osteotomized and fixed in the manner suggested by our graphic technique. Arcs of rotation of the 3 sets of 3D-printed bone models were then compared. RESULTS: Arcs of rotation of the 3 groups of bone models were significantly different, with the models osteotomized accordingly to our graphic technique having the widest arcs. CONCLUSIONS: For chronic @entity8244 , our graphic overlay approach simplifies the selection of the osteotomy site(s). Three-dimensional-printed bone models suggest that this approach could improve range of motion of the forearm in actual surgical practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic study.
