Purpose
To comparethe effectiveness of the three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in the treatment of clavicularfracturebetween experienced and inexperienced orthopedic surgeons.
Methods
A total of 80 patients with clavicle fracture (from February 2017 to May 2021)were enrolled in our study. Patients were divided randomly into four groups: group A: Patients underwent low-dose CT scan and 3D models were printed before surgeries performed by inexperienced surgeons; group B: Standard-dose CT were taken and 3D models were printed before surgeries performed by experienced surgeons; group C and D: Standard-dose CT were taken in both groups, and the operations were performed differently by inexperienced (group C) and experienced (group D) surgeons. Operation time, blood loss, length of incision and number of intraoperative fluoroscopy were recorded.
Results
No statistically significant differences were found in age, gender, fracture site and fracture type (P value: 0.23–0.88).Group A showed shorter incision length and less intraoperative fluoroscopy times than group C and D (P value < 0.05). There were no significant differences in blood loss volume, incision length and number of intraoperative time between group A and group B (P value range: 0.11–0.28). The operation time of group A was no longer than that of group C and D (P value range: 0.11 and 0.24).
Conclusion
The surgical effectiveness of inexperienced surgeons who applied 3D printing technology before clavicular fracture operation were better than those of both inexperienced and experienced surgeons did not use preoperative 3D printing technology.
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