• Colum Downey, Cathleen McCarrick, Christopher Fenelon, Evelyn P Murphy, Brendan J O'Daly, and Michael Leonard.
• Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, 24, Ireland. columdowney@rcsi.com.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2020 Feb 1; 189 (1): 219-228.

BackgroundComplex pelvic fractures present the orthopaedic surgeon with many challenges. 3-D printed models may provide assistance in pre-operative planning, may lead to improvements in intra-operative (i) decision making and (ii) efficiencies (time reduction, blood loss reduction, screening reduction) and may result in improvements in post-operative outcomes (fracture reduction & quality of life). The models also provide hands-on opportunities for orthopaedic trainees and patients. This may result in improvements in (i) education/training regarding the management of pelvic and acetabular fractures for orthopaedic trainees and (ii) improvements in patient consenting and overall patient satisfaction.DesignSingle-centre, two orthopaedic surgeons (pelvic and acetabular fellowship trained), prospective observational study. Twenty patients with acute displaced pelvic/acetabular fracture(s); ten 3-D-printed pelvis and ten non-printed cases for comparison. The comparison cohorts were matched for fracture classification, sex and age.Outcome MeasuresClassification assistance, intra-operative time, estimated blood loss, screening amount, post-operative reduction and infection, EQ-5D-5L, teaching/educational assistance and pre-operative counselling.ResultsThe models provided more information regarding fracture pattern, however, this did not result in change of CT-planned approach/procedure or patient outcomes. The models scored highly on surgeon's questionnaire. The models were found to have a positive impact on trainee education and patient consenting/counselling. With regard to objective comparisons, there was no significant improvements in time-to-surgery, intra-operative time, estimated blood loss, screening amount, fracture reduction or infection rate. There was no significant difference in quality of life questionnaire ~ 12 months post-surgery (statistical tests used; Cohen's effect size and Fisher's exact test).ConclusionsWhilst the authors recognize the positive subjective findings with respect to the use of 3-D printing in pelvic and acetabular trauma in our National Centre, objective findings were lacking.

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