Curative effects of 3D printed microporous titanium (tantalum) prosthesis in reconstruction of large segmental bone defects caused by lower extremity osteomyelitis / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the curative effects of 3D printed microporous titanium (tantalum) prosthesis in reconstruction of large segmental bone defects caused by lower extremity osteomyelitis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 18 patients who had been treated for large segmental bone defects caused by lower extremity osteomyelitis between January 2020 to May 2022 at Department of Orthopaedics, The 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force. There were 10 males and 8 females with an age of (45.3±14.1) years. The defects were at the left side in 13 cases and at the right side in 5 cases, at the femur in 11 cases and at the tibia in 7 cases. The duration of osteomyelitis was 1.0 (1.0, 3.5) years. The length of bone defects was 8.35 (6.50, 9.84) cm. Their bone defects were repaired by an individually 3D printed microporous titanium (tantalum) prosthesis after operative removal of osteomyelitis lesions. The wound healing was observed after surgery. The clinical efficacy was comprehensively evaluated by the Paley grading for bone defect healing, visual analog scale (VAS), lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and imaging examination.Results:The postoperative follow-up period for the 18 patients was (12.2±0.3) months. Wound infection occurred 2 months after surgery in one patient who was treated with Ilizarov bone transfer after removal of the microporous titanium prosthesis. The remaining 17 patients had good postoperative wound healing. At the last follow-up, the 18 patients had a VAS pain score of 2.0(1.0, 4.0) points, significantly lower than the preoperative one [(6.1±2.3) points], and a LEFS score of 54.00(34.50, 69.25) points, significantly higher than the preoperative one [18.50(9.00, 26.50) points] ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, according to the Paley grading, the bone union was rated as excellent in 16 patients, as good in 1 patient and as poor in 1 patient. The integration of femoral fractures with 3D printed microporous titanium prostheses was fine. Conclusion:In reconstruction of large segmental bone defects caused by lower extremity osteomyelitis, implantation of a 3D printed microporous titanium (tantalum) prosthesis is feasible and effective, not only reducing pain but also restoring the limb function.