Derotation tibial osteotomy with custom cutting guides and custom osteosynthesis plate printed with 3D technology: Case and technical note

Abstract

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the use of 3D technology in orthopaedic surgery. Consequently, innovative techniques in the use of 3D printed guides for different types of surgical interventions have been developed. However, the design and 3D printing of osteosynthesis implants customized to the patient's pathology is scarcer. This work presents the technical note and application in a clinical case on the design of a customised cutting guide as well as custom-made titanium osteosynthesis plate. Osteosynthesis cutting guides and plate were designed for a patient with functional ankle limitation and bone deformity due to a previous surgery in which he underwent intramedullary nailing. For this purpose, a virtual surgery was performed in which all the osteosynthesis material customized for the patient was designed. Subsequently, the 3D printing was performed, obtaining the cutting guides and the osteosynthesis plate that adapted and fixed precisely to the anatomy of the patient's bone. Currently, the patient is pain free and the bone deformity has been corrected. Custom designed and 3D printed cutting guides are a reliable method for bone deformity correction surgery, which can be complemented with a personalized osteosynthesis plate in clinical cases that require it.