A case report of early unilateral external fixation by 3D printing and computer-assisted and secondary bone graft internal fixation in pseudarthrosis of the tibia surgery. Issue 9 (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhong, Hua; Ma, Sushuang; Cen, Yibiao; Ma, Limin; Li, Deqiang; Liang, Bo; Chen, Jin; Zhang, Yu
• Is Part Of: Journal of international medical research. Volume 48:Issue 9(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Case study -- congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia -- digital orthopaedic -- surgery; Medicine -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060520945518
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0605

Abstract

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a rare congenital malformation. It is characterized by a tibial anterior bowing deformity or specific types of non-union, which typically result from abnormal development of the tibia, leading to the formation of local pseudarthrosis. The treatment of CPT is very challenging. The advent of 3D printing and computer-assisted techniques in recent years has provided a new ancillary technique for treatment planning and implementation. This case report describes the successful surgical treatment of a 14-year-old male that presented with a shortened limb deformity. Ahead of elective surgery, 3D printing and computer-assisted techniques were used to provide a 1:1 model of his left tibia, fibula and ankle joint to precisely determine the surgical procedure. The first surgery did not result in complete calcification of the tibial extension area, so a second proximal tibia iliac bone graft and internal fixation surgery was undertaken. Following regular follow-up and rehabilitation, by the 18-month follow-up, the proximal tibial bone graft had healed and the patient had resumed walking with a normal gait. This case report describes in detail the successful use of unilateral external fixation using the Ilizarov technique, 3D printing and computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery in the planning of treatment for CPT.