Evaluation of Positioning Accuracy and Clinical Outcomes in 3D Printing- Assisted Ankle Ligament Surgery

Abstract Background: To investigate the positioning accuracy and clinical efficacy of 3D-printed, personalized guide plate assisted lateral ankle ligament reconstruction. Methods: We retrospectively studied 48 patients with chronic lateral ankle instability and divided them into two groups: the template group (24 patients) and the conventional group (24 patients). The operation time, intraoperative X-ray exposure time, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were compared between the two groups. Results: All patients were followed up for 12-20 months (14.5 ± 5.5). The operation time in the template group was 32-55 min (38.6 ± 9.7), the operation time in the conventional group was 48-73 min (58.3 ± 12.6), and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The number of X-ray exposures in the template group was 1-3 (1.2 ± 0.6), the number of X-ray exposures in the conventional group was 3-6 (3.8 ± 2.2), and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the AOFAS score or FAOS score between the two groups before the operation orat the last follow-up after the operation. There was no significant difference in the talar anteversion distance or talar varus angle between the two groups at the last follow-up after the operation. Conclusion: Comparedwith conventional surgery, 3D-printedtemplate surgery has a shorter operation time, higher positioning accuracy, and shorterradiation exposure time. 3D printing template surgery is a successful treatment option with the same satisfactory effect on patients with chronic lateral ankle instability.