A customized percutaneous three-dimensional-printed guide for scaphoid fixation versus a freehand technique: a comparative study

• Published in: The Journal of hand surgery, European volume Vol. 46; no. 10; pp. 1081 - 1087
• Main Authors: Marcano-Fernández, Francesc A, Berenguer, Alexandre, Fillat-Gomà, Ferran, Corderch-Navarro, Sergi, Cámara-Cabrera, Jaume, Sánchez-Flò, Ricard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-12-2021
• Subjects: Fracture Fixation, Internal; Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Bone - surgery; Humans; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Scaphoid Bone - diagnostic imaging; Scaphoid Bone - surgery; Scaphoid fracture; 3-D-printing; external guide; scaphoid fixation
• ISSN: 1753-1934; 2043-6289
• DOI: 10.1177/17531934211049132

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and reliability of percutaneous fixation of minimally displaced scaphoid fractures using a customized three-dimensional (3-D)-printed guide with a conventional freehand method. A prospective cohort of ten patients underwent scaphoid fixation with the aid of a customized 3-D-printed guide. The final screw position, total surgery time (minutes) and fluoroscopy time (seconds) was compared with a retrospective cohort of ten patients who underwent fixation with a conventional technique. There were no differences in final screw position between both methods. The patients in which the 3-D guide was used had a surgery time reduction of 43% and a fluoroscopy time reduction of 52% compared with the control freehand group. The use of a customized 3-D-printed guide permits a fixation that is as accurate as the standard freehand technique, with reduction in surgical time and intraoperative radiation exposure.
Level of evidence: III