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Purpose This study aims to examine the use of 3D printing technology to treat clavicular fractures by skilled and inexperienced surgeons. Methods A total of 80 patients with clavicle fractures (from February 2017 to May 2021) were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided randomly into four groups: group A: Patients underwent low-dose CT scans, and 3D models were printed before inexperienced surgeons performed surgeries; group B: Standard-dose CT were taken, and 3D models were printed before experienced surgeons performed surgeries; group C and D: Standard-dose CT scans were taken in both groups, and the operations were performed differently by inexperienced (group C) and experienced (group D) surgeons. This study documented the operation time, blood loss, incision length, and the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies. 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 fewer intraoperative fluoroscopy times than groups C and D (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in blood loss volume, incision length, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times between group A and group B (P value range: 0.11–0.28). The operation time of group A was no longer than those of groups 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 was better than those of inexperienced and experienced surgeons who did not use preoperative 3D printing technology.

Objective To explore the feasibility of the three-dimensional printing (3DP) knee model using the ultra-low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan for preoperative planning and simulated surgery. Methods Thirty-six patients were divided into the standard-dose protocol group (A) and ultra-low-dose protocol group (B). The anteroposterior diameter, left and right diameter of femur, anteroposterior diameter of tibial plateau (APTP), left and right diameter, distance from the intercondylar ridge to tibial tuberosity, lower femur angle, and upper tibial angle were measured on CT images. On the 3D printed knee joint model, Vernier calipers were used to measure: anteroposterior diameter, left and right diameter of the internal and external condyles of femur; left and right diameters, anteroposterior diameters of tibial plateau; upper and lower meridian, left and right diameters of patella. Results With group A as reference, the effective radiation dose in group B was significantly reduced to 97.0% (36.4 ± 3.7 uSv and 1.1 ± 0.2 uSv, respectively). There was no difference in objective parameters for 3DP model (p = 0.31–0.84). None of the quantitative parameters of image quality showed significant difference (p = 0.11–0.96). Despite lower score of image quality and 3DP model in group B (3.0 ± 0.0 vs. 2.1 ± 0.2, 2.9 ± 0.3 vs. 2.2 ± 0.4; p < 0.05), the diagnostic performance was consistent in the two groups (all scores ≥ 2). Image quality and 3DP printed models were highly consistent (k = 0.97). Conclusions Ultra-low-dose protocol reduces the radiation dose while maintaining the image quality of knee. It meets the requirement for 3DP model, internal fixation model selection, and simulated surgery.

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