Application of 3D printing for treating fractures of both columns of the acetabulum: Benefit of pre-contouring plates on the mirrored healthy pelvis

Acetabular fractures can be challenging to treat, in part because the shape of the fixation plates needs to be adjusted during the surgical procedure. One possibility is to generate a model of the uninjured half of a fractured pelvis with 3D printing, and then pre-contour the fixation plates preoperatively on this model. The purpose of this technical note is to describe how we used 3D printing as an aid to treat acetabular fractures. The quality of the fracture reduction, fracture fixation and time savings were evaluated. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the preoperative CT scan of the pelvis were exported with OsiriX™ software, mirrored with Meshmixer™ software and then printed in polylactic acid (PLA). Two fracture fixation plates were pre-contoured on the printed hemipelvis and then sterilized. No additional intraoperative contouring was needed. Anatomical reduction was obtained with an estimated 30-minute time saving and € 6 consumables cost.