3D printing-assisted percutaneous fixation makes the surgery for scaphoid nonunion more accurate and less invasive

The study was to explore whether the 3-dimensional printing guiding plate system could facilitate the modified procedure for arthroscopic treatment of nondisplaced scaphoid nonunion. Patients, diagnosed with scaphoid nonunion without displacement, were randomly assigned into two groups. In Group A, the 3-dimensional printing guiding plate system was used for guiding fixation during the surgery. In Group B, fixation was performed with intra-operative fluoroscopy. The bone operation time was recorded during the surgery. The patients were evaluated before surgery and followed-up after six post-operative months, including motion ratio, strength ratio, Visual Analogue Scale, modified Mayo Scores, Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation scores, plain radiography and CT scan. Sixteen patients were recruited for the study. The average bone operation time in Group A was statistically shorter than that in Group B. 3-dimensional printing technique-assisted arthroscopic bone graft and fixation of scaphoid nonunion constitute an effective and accurate clinical treatment option. The concept and technique of 3D printing assisted percutaneous fixation introduced in this paper have the potential to be applied in a variety of operations requiring accurate percutaneous fixation, especially for the joint injuries.