3D printing in medicine最新文献

{"title":"Use of patient specific 3D printed neurovascular phantoms to simulate mechanical thrombectomy.","authors":"Kelsey N Sommer,&nbsp;Mohammad Mahdi Shiraz Bhurwani,&nbsp;Vincent Tutino,&nbsp;Adnan Siddiqui,&nbsp;Jason Davies,&nbsp;Kenneth Snyder,&nbsp;Elad Levy,&nbsp;Maxim Mokin,&nbsp;Ciprian N Ionita","doi":"10.1186/s41205-021-00122-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-021-00122-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The ability of the patient specific 3D printed neurovascular phantoms to accurately replicate the anatomy and hemodynamics of the chronic neurovascular diseases has been demonstrated by many studies. Acute occurrences, however, may still require further development and investigation and therefore we studied acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The efficacy of endovascular procedures such as mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for the treatment of large vessel occlusion (LVO), can be improved by testing the performance of thrombectomy devices and techniques using patient specific 3D printed neurovascular models.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>3D printed phantoms were connected to a flow loop with physiologically relevant flow conditions, including input flow rate and fluid temperature. A simulated blood clot was introduced into the model and placed in the proximal Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) region. Clot location, composition, length, and arterial angulation were varied and MTs were simulated using stent retrievers. Device placement relative to the clot and the outcome of the thrombectomy were recorded for each situation. Digital subtraction angiograms (DSA) were captured before and after LVO simulation. Recanalization outcome was evaluated using DSA as either 'no recanalization' or 'recanalization'. Forty-two 3DP neurovascular phantom benchtop experiments were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Clot angulation within the MCA region had the most significant impact on the MT outcome, with a p-value of 0.016. Other factors such as clot location, clot composition, and clot length correlated weakly with the MT outcome.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This project allowed us to gain knowledge of how such characteristics influence thrombectomy success and can be used in making clinical decisions when planning the procedure and selecting specific thrombectomy tools and approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"7 1","pages":"32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8474770/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10612212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urgent need hybrid production - what COVID-19 can teach us about dislocated production through 3d-printing and the maker scene.","authors":"Sascha Hartig, Sven Duda, Lennart Hildebrandt","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00090-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41205-020-00090-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic has led to large-scale shutdowns in society. This resulted in global supply bottlenecks for medical protective equipment. The so-called Maker Movement recognized this emerging problem early on and, with the help of additive manufacturing (AM), began developing and manufacturing half masks or face shields as personal protective equipment (PPE). This knowledge has been made available in many places in form of open source product data, so that products could be adapted and improved, saving development time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This production and innovation potential has been taken up and professionalized by the authors of this article. By means of a proof-of-principle we provide an overview of the possibility and successful unique introduction of a so-called professional \"hybrid production\" in a micro factory using 3D-printing at the place of greatest demand in a hospital by medical personnel to produce their own PPE. Furthermore the learning process and future benefits of on site 3D-printing are described.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our proof-of-principle successfully showed that the allocation of 3D-printing capabilities in the hospital infrastructure is possible. With assistance of the engineers, responsible for product design and development, the medical staff was able to produce PPE by means of AM. However, due to legal uncertainties and high material and production costs the usability is severely limited.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The practical research showed that a complete implementation of the concept and the short-term establishment of a 3D-printing factory for the autonomous supply of a hospital with PPE was not feasible without further efforts. Nevertheless, it has enabled the medical staff to use AM technologies for future research approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/s41205-020-00090-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38692778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to: 3D printed bone models in oral and craniomaxillofacial surgery: a systematic review.","authors":"Matteo Meglioli,&nbsp;Adrien Naveau,&nbsp;Guido Maria Macaluso,&nbsp;Sylvain Catros","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00088-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-020-00088-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/s41205-020-00088-z","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38667007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of community-led 3D printing for the production of protective face shields.","authors":"Peter Chengming Zhang,&nbsp;Yousuf Ahmed,&nbsp;Isra M Hussein,&nbsp;Edem Afenu,&nbsp;Manon Feasson,&nbsp;Anser Daud","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00089-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-020-00089-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>As the healthcare system faced an acute shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of 3D printing technologies became an innovative method of increasing production capacity to meet this acute need. Due to the emergence of a large number of 3D printed face shield designs and community-led PPE printing initiatives, this case study examines the methods and design best optimized for community printers who may not have the resources or experience to conduct such a thorough analysis.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We present the optimization of the production of 3D printed face shields by community 3D printers, as part of an initiative aimed at producing PPE for healthcare workers. The face shield frames were manufactured using the 3DVerkstan design and were coupled with an acetate sheet to assemble a complete face shield. Rigorous quality assurance and decontamination protocols ensured community-printed PPE was satisfactory for healthcare use.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Additive manufacturing is a promising method of producing adequate face shields for frontline health workers because of its versatility and quick up-start time. The optimization of stacking and sanitization protocols allowed 3D printing to feasibly supplement formal public health responses in the face of a global pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/s41205-020-00089-y","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38637388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D - Printed Patient Specific Instrumentation in Corrective Osteotomy of the Femur and Pelvis: A Review of the Literature.","authors":"Njalalle Baraza,&nbsp;Chris Chapman,&nbsp;Sima Zakani,&nbsp;Kishore Mulpuri","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00087-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-020-00087-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The paediatric patient population has considerable variation in anatomy. The use of Computed Tomography (CT)-based digital models to design three-dimensionally printed patient specific instrumentation (PSI) has recently been applied for correction of deformity in orthopedic surgery. This review sought to determine the existing application of this technology currently in use within paediatric orthopaedics, and assess the potential benefits that this may provide to patients and surgeons.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A review was performed of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for published literature, as well as Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov for grey literature. The search strategy revolved around the research question: \"What is the clinical impact of using 3D printed PSI for proximal femoral or pelvic osteotomy in paediatric orthopaedics?\" Two reviewers, using predetermined inclusion criteria, independently performed title and abstract review in order to select articles for full text review. Data extracted included effect on operating time and intraoperative image use, as well as osteotomy and screw positioning accuracy. Data were combined in a narrative synthesis; meta-analysis was not performed given the diversity of study designs and interventions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, ten studies were included: six case control studies, three case series and a case report. Five studies directly compared operating time using PSI to conventional techniques, with two showing a significant decrease in the number of intraoperative images and operative time. Eight studies reported improved accuracy in executing the surgical plan compared to conventional methods.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Compared to conventional methods of performing femoral or pelvic osteotomy, use of PSI has led to improved accuracy and precision, decreased procedure times, and decreased intra-operative imaging requirements. Additionally, the technology has become more cost effective and accessible since its initial inception and use.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"34"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/s41205-020-00087-0","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38593075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MRI guided procedure planning and 3D simulation for partial gland cryoablation of the prostate: a pilot study.","authors":"Nicole Wake,&nbsp;Andrew B Rosenkrantz,&nbsp;Daniel K Sodickson,&nbsp;Hersh Chandarana,&nbsp;James S Wysock","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00085-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-020-00085-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study reports on the development of a novel 3D procedure planning technique to provide pre-ablation treatment planning for partial gland prostate cryoablation (cPGA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty men scheduled for partial gland cryoablation (cPGA) underwent pre-operative image segmentation and 3D modeling of the prostatic capsule, index lesion, urethra, rectum, and neurovascular bundles based upon multi-parametric MRI data. Pre-treatment 3D planning models were designed including virtual 3D cryotherapy probes to predict and plan cryotherapy probe configuration needed to achieve confluent treatment volume. Treatment efficacy was measured with 6 month post-operative MRI, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) at 3 and 6 months, and treatment zone biopsy results at 6 months. Outcomes from 3D planning were compared to outcomes from a series of 20 patients undergoing cPGA using traditional 2D planning techniques.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty men underwent cPGA. The median age of the cohort undergoing 3D treatment planning was 64.8 years with a median pretreatment PSA of 6.97 ng/mL. The Gleason grade group (GGG) of treated index lesions in this cohort included 1 (5%) GGG1, 11 (55%) GGG2, 7 (35%) GGG3, and 1 (5%) GGG4. Two (10%) of these treatments were post-radiation salvage therapies. The 2D treatment cohort included 20 men with a median age of 68.5 yrs., median pretreatment PSA of 6.76 ng/mL. The Gleason grade group (GGG) of treated index lesions in this cohort included 3 (15%) GGG1, 8 (40%) GGG2, 8 (40%) GGG3, 1 (5%) GGG4. Two (10%) of these treatments were post-radiation salvage therapies. 3D planning predicted the same number of cryoprobes for each group, however a greater number of cryoprobes was used in the procedure for the prospective 3D group as compared to that with 2D planning (4.10 ± 1.37 and 3.25 ± 0.44 respectively, p = 0.01). At 6 months post cPGA, the median PSA was 1.68 ng/mL and 2.38 ng/mL in the 3D and 2D cohorts respectively, with a larger decrease noted in the 3D cohort (75.9% reduction noted in 3D cohort and 64.8% reduction 2D cohort, p 0.48). In-field disease detection was 1/14 (7.1%) on surveillance biopsy in the 3D cohort and 3/14 (21.4%) in the 2D cohort, p = 0.056) In the 3D cohort, 6 month biopsy was not performed in 4 patients (20%) due to undetectable PSA, negative MRI, and negative MRI Axumin PET. For the group with traditional 2D planning, treatment zone biopsy was positive in 3/14 (21.4%) of the patients, p = 0.056.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>3D prostate cancer models derived from mpMRI data provide novel guidance for planning confluent treatment volumes for cPGA and predicted a greater number of treatment probes than traditional 2D planning methods. This study prompts further investigation into the use of 3D treatment planning techniques as the increase of partial gland ablation treatment protocols develop.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/s41205-020-00085-2","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38560245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D printing technology and internet of things prototyping in family practice: building pulse oximeters during COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Matteo Capobussi,&nbsp;Lorenzo Moja","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00086-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-020-00086-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Family doctors can have an active role in identifying significant population needs and solutions. During the COVID-19 epidemic, patient home monitoring with pulse oximetry has been a key aspect of care of patients. However, pandemics bring shortage of medical equipment such as pulse oximeters. Through the local maker community, in a matter of days four \"smart\" pulse oximeters were built. Following Internet of Things principles, the prototypes were programmed to transmit real-time data through Wi-Fi directly to the doctors. Each pulse oximeter served a family doctor during the pandemic. In this article we describe the process that led to the production of the technology and provide detailed instructions, which have also been shared in maker-oriented websites. Dissemination can potentially lead to additional small-scale productions, limiting future shortages.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/s41205-020-00086-1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38651673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low cost 3D printed clamps for external fixator for developing countries: a biomechanical study.","authors":"Felix J Landaeta, Jose Nauaki Shiozawa, Arthur Erdman, Cara Piazza","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00084-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41205-020-00084-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>External fixation is a mainstream limb reconstruction technique, most often used after a traumatic injury. Due to the high rates of trauma in developing countries, external fixation devices are often utilized for immediate fracture stabilization and soft tissue repair. Proper external fixation treatment too often still fails to be adopted in these regions due to the high cost and trauma complexity. A novel, inexpensive, unilateral fixator was constructed using 3D printed clamps and other readily available supporting components. ASTM standard F1541 tests were used to assess the biomechanical properties of this novel external fixator.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Applicable sections of ASTM standard F1541 were used to determine the biomechanical properties of the novel external fixator. 3D printed clamps modeled using SolidWorks and printed with chopped carbon fibers using a fuse deposition modeling (FDM) based 3D printer by Markforged (Boston, MA) were used. This study included 3 different testing configurations: axial compression, anterior-posterior (AP) bending, and medial-lateral (ML) bending. Using the novel unilateral fixator with 3D printed clamps previously sterilized by autoclave, an input load was applied at a rate of 20 N/s, starting at 0 N via a hydraulic MTS tester Model 359. Force and deformation data were collected at a sampling rate of 30 Hz. There was a load limit of 750 N, or until there was a maximum vertical deformation of 6 mm. Also, 4 key dimensions of the 3D printed clamps were measured pre and post autoclave: diameter, width, height and length.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The novel external fixator had axial compression, AP and ML bending rigidities of 246.12 N/mm (σ = 8.87 N/mm), 35.98 N/mm (σ = 2.11 N/mm) and 39.60 N/mm (σ =2.60 N/mm), respectively. The 3D printed clamps shrunk unproportionally due to the autoclaving process, with the diameter, width, height and length dimensions shrinking by 2.6%, 0.2%, 1.7% and 0.3%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, the biomechanical properties of the novel fixator with 3D printed clamps assessed in this study were comparable to external fixators that are currently being used in clinical settings. While the biomechanics were comparable, the low cost and readily available components of this design meets the need for low cost external fixators in developing countries that current clinical options could not satisfy. However, further verification and validation routines to determine efficacy and safety must be conducted before this novel fixator can be clinically deployed. Also, the material composition allowed for the clamps to maintain the appropriate shape with minimal dimensional shrinkage that can be accounted for in clamp design.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7585230/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38524455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D printed bone models in oral and cranio-maxillofacial surgery: a systematic review.","authors":"Matteo Meglioli,&nbsp;Adrien Naveau,&nbsp;Guido Maria Macaluso,&nbsp;Sylvain Catros","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00082-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-020-00082-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This systematic review aimed to evaluate the use of three-dimensional (3D) printed bone models for training, simulating and/or planning interventions in oral and cranio-maxillofacial surgery.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A systematic search was conducted using PubMed® and SCOPUS® databases, up to March 10, 2019, by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. Study selection, quality assessment (modified Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool) and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. All original full papers written in English/French/Italian and dealing with the fabrication of 3D printed models of head bone structures, designed from 3D radiological data were included. Multiple parameters and data were investigated, such as author's purpose, data acquisition systems, printing technologies and materials, accuracy, haptic feedback, variations in treatment time, differences in clinical outcomes, costs, production time and cost-effectiveness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 1157 retrieved abstracts, only 69 met the inclusion criteria. 3D printed bone models were mainly used as training or simulation models for tumor removal, or bone reconstruction. Material jetting printers showed best performance but the highest cost. Stereolithographic, laser sintering and binder jetting printers allowed to create accurate models with adequate haptic feedback. The cheap fused deposition modeling printers exhibited satisfactory results for creating training models.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patient-specific 3D printed models are known to be useful surgical and educational tools. Faced with the large diversity of software, printing technologies and materials, the clinical team should invest in a 3D printer specifically adapted to the final application.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/s41205-020-00082-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38507551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical applications of custom 3D printed implants in complex lower extremity reconstruction.","authors":"Rishin J Kadakia,&nbsp;Colleen M Wixted,&nbsp;Nicholas B Allen,&nbsp;Andrew E Hanselman,&nbsp;Samuel B Adams","doi":"10.1186/s41205-020-00083-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-020-00083-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Three dimensional printing has greatly advanced over the past decade and has made an impact in several industries. Within the field of orthopaedic surgery, this technology has vastly improved education and advanced patient care by providing innovating tools to complex clinical problems. Anatomic models are frequently used for physician education and preoperative planning, and custom instrumentation can assist in complex surgical cases. Foot and ankle reconstruction is often complicated by multiplanar deformity and bone loss. 3D printing technology offers solutions to these complex cases with customized implants that conform to anatomy and patient specific instrumentation that enables precise deformity correction.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>The authors present four cases of complex lower extremity reconstruction involving segmental bone loss and deformity - failed total ankle arthroplasty, talus avascular necrosis, ballistic trauma, and nonunion of a tibial osteotomy. Traditional operative management is challenging in these cases and there are high complication rates. Each case presents a unique clinical scenario for which 3D printing technology allows for innovative solutions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>3D printing is becoming more widespread within orthopaedic surgery. This technology provides surgeons with tools to better tackle some of the more challenging clinical cases especially within the field of foot and ankle surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":72036,"journal":{"name":"3D printing in medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/s41205-020-00083-4","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38446190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}