OBJECTIVETo explore clinical application of three-dimensional printing technology to design individual angle section on Chevron of hallux valgus osteotomy.

METHODSFrom May 2013 to May 2016, 47 patients(66 feet) with mild to moderate hallux valgus treated by Chevron osteotomy according to different preoperative design were divided into computer osteotomy group(group A) and traditional osteotomy group(group B). In group A, there were 25 patients (33 feet), including 4 males(5 feet) and 21 females(28 feet) with an average age of (47.88±6.08) years old, average weight IMA was (13.58±1.15) degree, AOFAS score was 59.00±5.86, and treated individual 3D printing technology to design operation scheme. While in group B, there were 22 patients (33 feet), including 3 males (3 feet) and 19 females (28 feet) with an average age of (48.16±6.16) years old, average weight IMA was(13.51±1.14) degree, AOFAS score was 60.67±5.85, and treated with osteotomy according to surgical experience. Operation time, blood loss, hospital stays, VAS score at 1 week after operation, wound healing and improvement of postoperative weight-bearing intermetatarsal angle(IMA) were compared between two groups, AOFAS score system was used to evaluate ankle function after surgery.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in following-up between group A 12.41±2.32 and group B 11.73±2.76. There was 1 patient in group B were excluded. Others perform good wounds healing on the first stage after operation. There were no significant differences in operation time, blood loss, hospital stays and VAS score at 1 week after operation(<0.05); IMA in group A was (5.21±0.88)°, (6.42±0.85)° in group B, and had significant differences between two groups (=5.68, <0.05). There was obvious meaning in AOFAS score between group A 88.15±5.19 and group B 82.90±5.01(=4.14, <0.05). Fourteen feet in group A obtained excellent results and 19 feet good, while 5 feet in group B obtained excellent results and 27 feet good.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with traditional osteotomy group, three-dimensional printing technology to design individual angle section on Chevron of hallux valgus osteotomy could better correct IMA, improve postoperative foot function, and it is a kind of individualized and digital method to design operation.