3D printing personalized guide plate in the management of recurrent intramuscular venous malformations: A single center experience

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of 3D printing personalized guide plate in the management of recurrent intramuscular venous malformations (IVM). Methods Fifteen patients with recurrent IVM were retrospectively assessed. 3D-slicer software was used to extract and reconstruct the imaging data from CT and/or MRI to highlight the morphology, size, and puncture depth of the lesion. With the guidance of personalized plate, complete excision of the IVM was adopted along the pre-marked (methylene blue, MB) margin. Results Personalized guide plate matched involved extremity well, and MB-puncture approach was consistent with preoperative design. All IVMs were removed radically in one single session. Complete pain relief was obtained in all cases postoperatively. Conclusion The application of 3D printing guide plate can be safe, effective, and reliable to confirming the precise margin of IVM, renders a promising technique with a high practical value in resection of recurrent lesion.