Reconstruction of the thoracic spine using a personalized 3D-printed vertebral body in an adolescent with a T9 primary bone tumour: case report.

Reconstruction of the thoracic spine using a personalized 3D-printed vertebral body in an adolescent with a T9 primary bone tumour: case report.

World Neurosurg. 2017 May 31;:

Authors: Choy WJ, Mobbs RJ, Wilcox B, Phan S, Phan K, Sutterlin CE

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neurosurgery and spine surgery has the potential to benefit from the use of three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology due to complex anatomical considerations and the delicate nature of surrounding structures. We report a procedure which utilises a 3D printed titanium T9 vertebral body implant post T9 vertebrectomy for a primary bone tumour.
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 14-year-old female presented with progressive kyphoscoliosis, and a pathological fracture of the T9 vertebra with sagittal and coronal deformity due to a destructive primary bone tumour. Surgical resection and reconstruction was performed in combination with a 3D printed, patient-specific implant. Custom design features included porous titanium endplates, corrective angulation of the implant to restore sagittal balance and pedicle screw holes in the 3D implant to assist with insertion of the device. In addition, attachment of the anterior column construct to the posterior pedicle screw construct was possible due to the customised features of the patient specific implant.
CONCLUSIONS: An advantage of 3DP is the ability to manufacture patient specific implants, as in the current case example. Additionally, the use of 3DP has been able to reduce operative time significantly. Surgical procedures can be pre-planned using 3DP patient specific models. Surgeons can train prior to performing complex procedures which enhances their pre-surgical planning, in order to maximise patient outcomes. When considering implants and prostheses, the use of 3DP allows a superior anatomical fit for the patient, with the potential to improve restoration of anatomy.

PMID: 28578109 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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