Application Of 3D Printing In Orbital Blow-out Fracture Repairing

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3D printing technology in orbital blow-out fracture repairing.Methods A total of 25 eyes of 25 cases with orbital blow-out fractures treated by surgery from Sept.2018 to Nov.2019 in Henan Provincial People’ s Hospital were included in the study,which were randomly divided into experimental group(n=12)and control group(n=13).The experimental group used 3D printing technology to make orbital defect model and implant template for preoperative simulation and implant pruning,while the control group used conventional preformed titanium mesh to assist implant pruning.All of the implants were absorbable materials and followed up for 6 months.The preoperative and postoperative diplopia,eyes movement function,difference of exophthalmos and orbital volume,operation time and complications of the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed.Results Among the 25 patients included in the study,there were 21 males and 4 females,aged from 6 to 55 years old,with an average of(27.96 ±13.51)years old,and the course of disease was 11(6.5,21)days.Violent attack is the most common cause of fracture,and the inferior orbital wall is the most common site of fracture.All postoperative diplopia and eyes movement function were cured or improved compared with those before operation,and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).All the enophthalmos were corrected,and there was no significant difference in the difference of bilateral exophthalmos between the two groups after operation(P>0.05).Comparing the difference of bilateral orbital volume between the two groups after operation,the experimental group(0.76±0.11)cm3,the control group(1.29±0.13)cm3,the experimental group was smaller than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(t=3.140,P=0.005).Comparing the operation time of the two groups,the experimental group(56.41±13.48)min,the control group(72.84±16.65)min,the experimental group was shorter than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.697,P=0.013).Postoperative intra-orbital hematoma occurred in 1 case in the experimental group,and there were no complications associated with orbital implants in both groups during the follow-up period.Conclusion 3D printing technology assisted orbital blow-out fracture repairing surgery can significantly improve diplopia,eyes movement function and enophthalmos,which has good function and aesthetic effect.Compared with traditional surgical methods,with the assistance of 3D printing technology,surgeons can better analyze complex orbital fracture deformities,restore orbital volume more accurately,and achieve accurate anatomical reduction.In addition,the operation time and the operation risk is reduced.