Efficacy of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Assisted by Handheld Ultrasound Combined with 3D Printing Technology in Treating Multiple Rib Fractures

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AIM: This study aimed to explore the efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation assisted by handheld ultrasound combined with three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in treating multiple rib fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from 84 patients affected with multiple rib fractures admitted to our hospital between August 2022 and April 2024. After excluding four cases, 80 cases were included in this study. Based on the method of preoperative rib fracture localization, patients were divided into three groups: group A (n = 30), group B (n = 26), and group C (n = 24). Group A received 3D reconstruction of ribs on chest Computed Tomography (CT), group B adopted the examination of handheld ultrasound and 3D reconstruction of ribs on chest CT, and group C received handheld ultrasound, 3D reconstruction of ribs on chest CT, and 3D printing technology. The operation-related indicators (such as incision length, exposure time of surgical field, intraoperative blood loss), pulmonary function [total lung capacity (TLC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), residual volume (RV)], quality of life, degree of pain, and incidence of complications were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Before surgery, there were no significant differences in pulmonary function, quality of life, and degree of pain among the three groups (p > 0.05). However, after surgery, significant differences in the pairwise comparison of TLC, FVC, FEV1/FVC and RV were observed among the three groups (p < 0.001), with group C indicating the highest levels of observational indicators and group A exhibiting the lowest levels. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed in the pairwise comparison of incision length, exposure time of surgical field, and intraoperative blood loss among the three groups (p < 0.001). Group C had the shortest incision length, the lowest exposure time in the surgical field, and the least intraoperative blood loss, while those in group A were the opposite. After surgery, a significant difference was found in the pairwise comparison of the quality of life and degree of pain among the three groups (p < 0.001). Group C had the highest quality of life and the lowest degree of pain, while Group A had the opposite results. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications among the three groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The open reduction and internal fixation assisted by handheld ultrasound combined with 3D printing technology revealed effective curative outcomes in treating multiple rib fractures. This method promotes the formulation of an accurate and personalized surgical plan and seems to have high clinical significance.