[PRELIMINARY APPLICATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING PERSONALIZED EXTERNAL FIXATOR IN SERIOUS TIBIOFIBULA FRACTURES].

Objective: To explore a new method of treating serious tibiofibula comminuted fracture by using three-dimensional (3-D) printing personalized external fixator.

Methods: In April 2015, a male patient (aged 18 years with a height of 171 cm and a weight of 67 kg) with left tibiofibula comminuted fracture was included in the study. Computer-assisted reduction technique combined with 3-D printing was used to develop a customised personalized external fixator for fracture reduction. The effectiveness was observed.

Results: The operation time was about 10 minutes without fluoroscopy, and successful reduction was obtained. The patient had equal limb length after operation. X-ray films showed that the posterior angulation of distal fracture was corrected 37 degrees, and the eversion angle was corrected 4 degrees. The tibial fractures had good paraposition or alignment, and the lower limb force line was corrected completely. No new fracture displacement occurred. The clinical healing time of fracture was 3.5 months and the bone union was achieved after 8 months. The function of affected limb recovered well after operation.

Conclusion: A personalized external fixator for serious tibiofibula comminuted fracture reduction made by 3-D printing technique has the merits of easy manipulation, high individuation, accurate reduction, stable fixation, and no need of fluoroscopy.