3D-printed visualized models in surgical treatment of spinal deformities_West China Medical Journal

Authors：

HUANG Jiahu , YANG Nan , HE Qiang , WANG Shengbao ,  CAO Yun

Spinal Surgery Department, Sichuan Science City Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P. R. China;

Corresponding?author：

CAO Yun, Email: cdcaoyun@126.com

Keywords：

3D-printed; surgery; spinal scoliosis

DOI：

10.7507/1002-0179.202509255

Video：

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Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of utilizing 3D-printed visualized spinal models in the surgical management of spinal deformities. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent surgical treatment for spinal deformities at Sichuan Science City Hospital between January 2021 and June 2023. According to the surgical method, the included patients were divided into 3D group and non-3D group. For the 3D group, preoperative CT scans were employed to acquire comprehensive spinal imaging data, which were subsequently used to fabricate the 3D-printed models. Surgical interventions in the 3D group were guided by these models, while the non-3D group received standard surgical treatment. Clinical parameters, including surgical details, imaging outcomes, and complications were meticulously documented. Results A total of 31 patients were included. Among them, there were 17 cases in the 3D group and 14 cases in the non-3D group. All patients underwent surgery successfully without experiencing complications related to the procedure, such as nerve or vascular damage. There were statistically significant differences in the operation times [(274.59±62.57) vs. (338.43±82.06) min], intraoperative blood loss [(700.41±262.10) vs. (937.43±316.57) mL], postoperative hospital stays [(13.00±3.34) vs. (16.07±4.46) d] between the 3D and non-3D groups (P＜0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of initial nail placement between the 3D and non-3D groups (94.81% vs. 92.83%, P>0.05). After surgery, the correction rate of Cobb angle [(71.46±10.17)% vs. (55.95±6.93)%] and △ Cobb angle [(52.95±13.23) vs. (43.62±11.13)°] in the 3D group were higher than those in the non-3D group (P<0.05). Conclusion The utilization of D-printed visualized models in the surgical management of spinal deformities enhances both the safety and efficacy of the procedures, thereby achieving favorable clinical outcomes.

Citation： HUANG Jiahu, YANG Nan, HE Qiang, WANG Shengbao, CAO Yun. 3D-printed visualized models in surgical treatment of spinal deformities. West China Medical Journal, 2026, 41(1): 47-53. doi: 10.7507/1002-0179.202509255 Copy

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24.	Liu Z, Guo J, Zhu Z, et al. Role of the upper and lowest instrumented vertebrae in predicting the postoperative coronal balance in Lenke 5C patients after selective posterior fusion. Eur Spine J 2013, 22(11): 2392-2398.

1. Karimi MT, Rabczuk T. Scoliosis conservative treatment: a review of literature. J Craniovertebr Junction Spine, 2018, 9(1): 3-8.
2. Mazy A, Elmaadawy AEA, Serry M, et al. High-volume, multilevel local anesthetics-epinephrine infiltration in kyphoscoliosis surgery: blood conservation. Anesth Essays Res, 2019, 13(3): 405-410.
3. Tsirikos AI, Al-Hourani K. Transient long thoracic nerve injury during posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a report of two cases. Indian J Orthop, 2013, 47(6): 621-623.
4. Warnier H, Barrea C, Bethlen S, et al. Clinical overview and outcome of the stuve-wiedemann syndrome: a systematic review. Orphanet J Rare Dis, 2022, 17(1): 174.
5. 彭博, 胡佳豪, 劉儒星, 等. 3D 打印技術在脊柱外科應用的可視化分析. 中國脊柱脊髓雜志, 2024, 34(8): 867-873.
6. 沙西卡·那孜爾汗, 孫治國, 張樹文, 等. 3D 打印輔助截骨器械矯正強直性脊柱炎后凸畸形. 中國矯形外科雜志, 2023, 31(7): 613-618.
7. Sakai T, Tezuka F, Abe M, et al. Pediatric patient with incidental os odontoideum safely treated with posterior fixation using rod-hook system and preoperative planning using 3D printer: a case report. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg, 2017, 78(3): 306-309.
8. Huang J, Zhou X, Li X, et al. Regional disparity in epidemiological characteristics of adolescent scoliosis in China: data from a screening program. Front Public Health, 2022, 10: 935040.
9. Kim KH, Sohn MJ, Park CG. Conformity assessment of a computer vision-based posture analysis system for the screening of postural deformation. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2022, 23(1): 799.
10. Chu EC. Improvement of quality of life by conservative management of thoracic scoliosis at 172°: a case report. J Med Life, 2022, 15(1): 144-148.
11. Wang H, Tetteroo D, Arts JJC, et al. Quality of life of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients under brace treatment: a brief communication of literature review. Qual Life Res, 2021, 30(3): 703-711.
12. Nouri F, Ghasemi SH, Lee JY. System reliability analysis of the scoliosis disorder. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2020, 21(1): 199.
13. Wang Y, Xiang Y, Tian Q, et al. Application of image-fusion 3D printing model in total en bloc spondylectomy for spinal malignant tumors. J Healthc Eng, 2022, 2022: 7907191.
14. Aili A, Ma Y, Sui J, et al. Application of 3D printed models in the surgical treatment of spinal deformity. Am J Transl Res, 2022, 14(9): 6341-6348.
15. 李雅南, 李殿國, 吳東進, 等. 機器人輔助手術矯正青少年重度特發性脊柱側彎. 中國矯形外科雜志, 2024, 32(7): 596-601.
16. 羅蔓琳, 楊潔, 鄭興萍. 自體血回輸可改善骨科手術患者血液氧合功能和降低炎性反應. 基因組學與應用生物學, 2019, 38(4): 1741-1746.
17. You MR, Fan ZQ, Ye HM, et al. The design and application of an individualized 3D printing assisted guide plates in assisting sacroiliac screws insertion. Comput Assist Surg (Abingdon), 2022, 27(1): 113-119.
18. ?ajczak P, ?ajczak A. Comparison between 3D-printed drill guides and freehand surgery for pedicle screw instrumentation in children and adolescents with congenital scoliosis: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Indian J Orthop, 2025, 59(7): 888-900.
19. Cui W, Liu X, Zhao Z, et al. Accuracy and postoperative assessment of robot-assisted placement of pedicle screws during scoliosis surgery compared with conventional freehand technique: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res, 2024, 19(1): 365.
20. Tan LA, Yerneni K, Tuchman A, et al. Utilization of the 3D-printed spine model for freehand pedicle screw placement in complex spinal deformity correction. J Spine Surg, 2018, 4(2): 319-327.
21. Angelliaume A, Alhada TL, Parent HF, et al. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in scoliosis surgery: literature review of the last 10 years. Eur Spine J, 2023, 32(9): 3072-3076.
22. Chen JW, Chanbour H, Gupta R, et al. Adult versus adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: a meta-analysis of clinical and radiographic outcomes. Eur Spine J, 2024, 33(4): 1637-1643.
23. Li J, Hwang SW, Shi Z, et al. Analysis of radiographic parameters relevant to the lowest instrumented vertebrae and postoperative coronal balance in Lenke 5C patients. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 2011, 36(20): 1673-1678.
24. Liu Z, Guo J, Zhu Z, et al. Role of the upper and lowest instrumented vertebrae in predicting the postoperative coronal balance in Lenke 5C patients after selective posterior fusion. Eur Spine J 2013, 22(11): 2392-2398.

West China Medical Journal

3D-printed visualized models in surgical treatment of spinal deformities

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