Implementation of novel additive manufacturing into clinical practice of E.N. Meshalkin National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia

Objective – to analyze the utility of additive manufacturing in orthopedic oncology practice.
Materials and methods. We describe the first experience of using individual implants manufactured by a 3D-printer. Between October 2019 and February 2021, nine patients were operated on for primary and metastatic tumors of long and short bones of the extremities in the Department of Oncology, E.N. Meshalkin National Medical Research Center. All patients have undergone segmental resections with simultaneous replacement of bone defects with individual titanium grafts. Patients were active one day postoperatively. They were followed up for 1–16,5 months with X-ray monitoring every 3 months.
Results. All patients survived. In 8 out of 9 individuals, surgical wounds healed by primary intention. All study participants had pain resolution, and their limb function was restored. One patient had postoperative complication (infection). One patient required repeated surgery due to migration of the graft head.
Conclusion. Our first experience with individual grafts manufactured using a 3D-printer is quite promising. Therefore, this technique can be implemented into routine clinical practice.