3D-printed ‘surgery scope’ for precise knee replacement

Vinmec’s team of experts and doctors have just researched and applied a compact 3D printed “surgical scope”, effectively supporting the doctor in the process of testing the knee joint before performing surgery on the patient. The patient did not lose blood, did not feel pain, did not use antibiotics and did not stay long in the place after surgery.

Surgical locator kit “one-of-a-kind”

Knee replacement surgery is a job that requires almost absolute precision. Because the artificial joint that covers the outside of the bone, the closer it fits to each slice of the doctor, the smoother and more stable the knee joint after surgery will be. Therefore, the doctor needs to use a kind of mechanical ruler to determine the cutting position. However, this type of “gauge” is often mass-produced according to “measurements” of foreigners, has low fine-tuning ability and is quite cumbersome.

To solve that “problem”, researchers, doctors and experts at the Center for 3D Technology in Medicine – VinUni University cooperated with the Center for Orthopedic Trauma and Sports Medicine at Vinmec Hospital (Vinmec Hospital). Vinmec Center for Physical Therapy & Traditional Medicine) has researched and applied a 3D printed “surgical scope” that is much more compact than a conventional mechanical ruler. In particular, this is a “one-of-a-kind” tool because it is specifically designed according to the musculoskeletal structure of each patient.

MSc Vo Sy Quyen – Head of the Department of Knee and Ankle Surgery, Vinmec Center for Physical Therapy & Traditional Medicine said: “Before the actual joint replacement in the operating room, we performed 2 experimental surgeries. The first is surgery based on simulating the patient’s joint structure using computer software. From there, the doctor chooses the most optimal surgical method and positioning system.

The second time is to use that 3D-printed locator to perform a test operation on a 3D-printed bone model that is reproduced exactly like the patient’s real bone structure and characteristics. From there, we calculate to ensure the actual surgery for the patient achieves the highest accuracy and minimizes possible complications. After successfully completing 2 rehearsals and final fine-tuning, the surgeon will print this kit with 3D technology and use precise positioning of each bone slice for the real surgery.

According to the doctor, with 2 simulated surgeries on the patient’s real anatomical structure, any problems that may occur during the operation are evaluated, calculated and given a previous treatment plan. As a result, the actual surgery will achieve the “4K” standard: no blood loss, no pain, no antibiotics and no long stay in place after surgery.

Contributes to increased resilience

A Vinmec representative said: “In the past 2 months alone, hospitals in the Vinmec Health System have put into use this “unique” sight for more than 10 knee replacement surgeries throughout the system. Up to now, the patients have achieved a good recovery, only 2 weeks after surgery the patient was able to walk without the use of crutches. The patient’s recovery time can be reduced to 1/2, the range of motion is better, the patient feels more comfortable and comfortable when walking again. At the same time, doctors say that the life expectancy of the knee joint can reach a maximum of 30-40 years.

Two weeks after surgery with this navigation system at Vinmec Hai Phong Hospital, Mr. Nguyen Van V. (60 years old, Hai Phong) was able to walk almost normally. Recalling the time when he had to sit in a wheelchair all day because of joint pain but still hesitated about the success of the surgery, Mr. V. said: “I was worried about the surgery at first and still couldn’t walk, or only a few days. years and then changed again. But when Vinmec doctors carefully prepared the surgery for nearly a week, told me in detail about the surgery with both pictures and models, I could imagine what the replacement process would be like, so I was very confident. Therefore, I decided to have surgery first on one side, and then on the right side to quickly walk again.”

After just over a day of surgery, Mr. V. was able to walk with crutches and gently bend and stretch his knee. After almost a month, he was able to remove his crutches, walk freely and walk up and down stairs. According to doctors, thanks to the new “surgical scope”, his recovery results are much faster than that of most previous patients.

According to Prof. TS.BS Tran Trung Dung – Director of Vinmec Center for Traditional Medicine and Communication, with this compact 3D printing tool, joint replacement surgeries can be performed at all hospitals in the Vinmec Health System. In particular, Vinmec’s 3D technology center in medicine can use surgical instruments that fit the anatomy of the Vietnamese people, but the cost is many times lower than products imported from the US or Europe.

“These devices will contribute to the strong development of the personalized ‘revolution’ in joint replacement surgery. This is very meaningful, because as knee replacement surgery becomes more and more accurate and increases its durability and safety, more and more elderly people, even young people, will choose surgery to get rid of their attacks. pathological pain and improve quality of life”, shared GS.TS.BS Tran Trung Dung.

The Dinh