Development and verification of a novel X-ray-free guide to elbow flexion-extension axis
10.3760/cma.j.cn115530-20250517-00208
- VernacularTitle:一种新型免透视肘关节旋转中心导向器的研制与验证
- Author:
Qingzhi CHEN
1
;
Hongyu SONG
;
Liangwen XIE
;
Jialiang YE
;
Zhongguo LIU
;
Jianchun LIN
;
Shaohua CHEN
Author Information
1. 厦门市第三医院骨科，厦门 361000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Elbow joint;
Device design;
Surgical instruments;
Guide device;
3D printing
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
2025;27(10):853-859
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To evaluate a novel self-designed elbow flexion-extension axis guide that is easy to operate, accurately positioned, and X-ray-free.Methods:This study collected the elbow joint CT scans from 60 normal adults [40 males and 20 females with an age of (38.1±9.3) years] at Department of Orthopedics, The Third Hospital of Xiamen between September and December 2024. The scan images were imported into 3D modeling software for systematic measurement of key anatomical parameters of the distal humerus. The structural design of a novel elbow flexion-extension axis guide was completed based on these measurements, combined with the anatomical data of the distal humerus reported in 6 relevant articles between January 2008 and December 2024 retrieved from the CNKI and PubMed databases. After physical models of the distal humerus from the 60 healthy adults were fabricated using 3D printing technology, they were divided into 2 even groups: a guide-assisted group ( n=30) where the positioning needle was inserted with the assistance of the elbow flexion-extension axis guide and a conventional group ( n=30) where the positioning needle was inserted freehand. The entry deviation, exit deviation, inter-axial angle, inter-axial distance, operation time, and fluoroscopic verifications in positioning of elbow flexion-extension axis were compared between the 2 groups. Results:The guide-assisted group demonstrated significantly smaller values than the conventional group in entry deviation [(1.52±0.70) mm versus (2.29±1.00) mm], exit deviation [(2.83±1.49) mm versus (4.95±1.63) mm], inter-axial angle (3.46°±0.93° versus 6.45°±1.21°), and operation time [(92.0±17.0) s versus (509.5±42.3) s] (all P<0.05). The conventional group required an average of (10.7±2.1) fluoroscopic verifications, while the guide-assisted group eliminated radiation exposure. No statistically significant difference was observed in the inter-axial distance between the 2 methods in positioning of elbow flexion-extension axis ( P>0.05). Conclusion:As the novel self-designed elbow flexion-extension axis guide can improve accuracy in positioning the elbow flexion-extension axis without requiring fluoroscopy, it significantly shortens intraoperative positioning time, and is handy to use.
