Value of 3D printing technology in auxiliary treatment of calcaneal fractures of Sanders type Ⅱ or type Ⅲ

Objective To analyze the value of 3D printing technology in auxiliary treatment of calcaneal fractures with Sanders typeⅡ or type Ⅲ. Methods The data of 58 patients with calcaneal fractures of Sanders type Ⅱ or Ⅲ(70 affected feet in total)was analyzed retrospectively. According to the difference of treatments, they were divided into control group and observation group, with 35 feet in each group. The control group was given traditional surgical methods, and the observation group was treated with 3D printing technology. The perioperative indexes(preoperative recognition and satisfaction, operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, intraoperative blood loss), preoperative and postoperative imaging indexes(Bohler angle and Gissane angle of calcaneus), ankle and hind-foot score of American Ankle Surgery Association(AOFAS)and incidence of postoperative complications(postoperative infection, necrosis, delayed union or nonunion of fracture, subtalar joint stiffness)were compared between the two groups. Results The perioperative indexes in two groups showed significant differences(P<0.05); after operation, the Bohler angle and Gissane angle of calcaneus in the two groups were greater than preoperation(P<0.05), but the above indicators showed no significant differences in two groups after operation(P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications and ankle and hind-foot score of AOFAS between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion 3D printing technology can can achieve better efficacy for Sanders type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ calcaneal fractures, and can better evaluate the fracture situation of patients, formulate a more perfect preoperative surgical treatment plan, reduce amount of bleeding during operation,- shorten the operation time, and improve the cognition and satisfaction of patients and their families.