Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to determine the differences in surface contour between
models of native pelvic bones and their corresponding three-dimensional (3D)-printed
replicas.
Study Design Digital 3D models of five cadaveric hemipelves and five live dogs with contralateral
pelvic fractures were generated based on computed tomographic images and 3D printed.
The 3D-printed replicas underwent 3D scanning and digital 3D models of the replicas
were created. The digital 3D model of each replica was superimposed onto the model
of the native hemipelvis. Errors in the replicas were determined by comparing the
distances of 120,000 corresponding surface points between models. The medial surface,
lateral surface and dorsal surface of the acetabulum (DSA) of each hemipelvis were
selected for further analysis. The root mean square error (RMSE) was compared between
various selected areas using a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, followed
by a Bonferroni post-hoc test.
Results The RMSE of the hemipelvis was 0.25 ± 0.05 mm. The RMSE significantly decreased from
the medial surface (0.28 ± 0.06mm), to the lateral surface (0.23 ± 0.06mm), to the
DSA (0.04 ± 0.02mm) (p < 0.001).
Conclusion The 3D-printed replicas were adequate in serving as a template for the pre-contouring
of bone plates in fracture repair of pelvic fractures, particularly those that demand
accurate reduction such as acetabular fractures.
Keywords
3D printing - pelvis - pre-contouring of bone plates - surface contour - dogs
