OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical outcomes of patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using 3D printing technique and conventional surgical methods.

METHODSFrom October, 2015 to February, 2017, 17 patients (20 knees) underwent TKA with the assistance of individualized navigation template and 16 concurrent patients (18 knees) matched for age, gender and knee society score received conventional TKA. The operation time, blood loss, and osteotomy data of the femoral condyle and tibia plateau were recorded. The mean femorotibial angle (MFTA) and sagittal tibial component angle (STCA) after the operation and the KSS at the last follow-up were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for 7-23 months, during which no infection or prosthesis loosening or motion was found. In patients receiving surgery with 3D printing technique, the osteotomy data of the femoral condyle and tibia plateau in the actual surgeries were consistent with those in surgical plans (P>0.05). The patients in the 3D group had a significantly shorter operation time and a higher KSS score than those in the conventional group (P<0.05). Significant differences were found between the two groups in postoperative MFTA and STCA (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of 3D printing technique can simplify the surgical procedure and improve the surgical precision and efficacy of TKA.