The configuration of the patient’s hip joint is often distorted due to mechanical failure,
the reaction at the interface between bone and the primary prosthesis,
underling osteoporosis as well as hardware failure with time.
Appreciation of the residual bony anatomy,
bone loss,
displacement of the surrounding soft tissues and the 3D spatial relationships between all four is critical to surgical planning.
3DP when married with medical imaging,
allows the reproduction of anatomy in a patient-specific model,
thus capturing the radiologist’s expert understanding of the CT scan within an immediately accessible,
tactile form,
which the surgeon can hold in their hands.
These models represent a true size of the patient’s anatomy and are made to scale.
3DP models can be produced quickly and allow for enhanced visualisation and physical interaction.
This is clearly of great benefit for technically challenging cases such as when there is anatomic variance,
complex fracture patterns or in revision reconstruction.
The ability to hold a scale model allows for the simulation and then practice of the surgical technique,
simulating the procedure and trialling a range of solutions prior to entering the operating theatre.
As the findings confirm a positive impact on costs,
theatre flow and patients' stay in hospital,
this would have impact on the total number of CRHR performed per year and could shorten the waiting lists for surgery.
Furthermore,
this could contribute to overall improved quality of life in this particular cohort of patients.
A comprehensive study published in 2016 analysed all 115 papers published between 2005 and 2015,
exploring the surgical implications of 3D printing.
Studies validated by health-economics analysis,
concluded that 10 minutes saved in the operating room would be equivalent in cost to 1 hour of work spent in the production of a 3D printed model/object.
Other studies (almost all in elective Craniofacial surgery),
confirm direct benefit to patients,
through less anaesthesia exposure,
reduction in blood loss,
and improved surgical outcome,
all of which could potentially be invaluable to patient care and outcomes.
To our knowledge,
none of the published studies to date assessed the impact of utilising 3D models in non-traumatic orthopaedic surgery,
but in particular revision hip surgery.
A more robust prospective research study is currently underway by our Hip research group.