Clinical observation on the application of customized 3D printed prosthetic body weight in the treatment of axial tumors

English Keywords:Axis  3D printing  Upper cervical tumor

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objectives: To observe the clinical efficacy of customized 3D printed prostheses in the treatment of axial tumors. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 6 patients with an axial vertebral tumor treated with 3D printed prosthesis in our department from December 2018 to October 2019. There were 5 males and 1 female, aged 11-63 years, with an average age of 42.7±19.2 years. 4 cases were of primary operation, including 2 cases of chordoma, 1 case of aneurysmal bone cyst, and 1 case of hemangiopericytoma. Postoperative recurrence occurred on the 2 patients with chordoma. Vertebral segments involved by tumor: 5 patients with C2 segment and 1 patient with C2-4 segment. All patients underwent vertebral body resection via a posterior-anterior combined approach. The anterior approach was followed by transoral approach in 5 cases, and the posterior approach was followed by high retropharyngeal approach in 1 case. All patients underwent axial anterior column reconstruction with a customized 3D printed cervical prosthesis. Patients with chordoma received additional postoperative radiotherapy. All patients were followed up regularly after surgery. Results: There was no vascular and nerve injury and no dura tear. All the wounds healed in the first stage or infection occurred. The patients were followed up for 11.8±3.7 months on average, and no tumor residue or recurrence was found. The patients had stable internal fixation, with no screw loosening, nor implant displacement. Conclusions: Personalized 3D printed prosthesis can effectively reconstruct the axial anterior column structure. Satisfactory short-term clinical efficacy was obtained.