Comparison of Efficacy between Three-Dimensional Printing and Manual-Bending Implants for Inferomedial Orbital Fracture: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

The purpose of reconstruction of an orbital fracture is restoration of normal structure and volume without visible or functional complications. In a previous study, orbital implants were created using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to restore orbital fractures. In the present study, the authors compared the efficacy of the conventional manual-bending implant and the 3D-printed standardized implant in order to verify the clinical utility of the fabricated 3D printed orbital implant. In this single-center, retrospective study, the authors evaluated medical records and 3D-CT scans of patients with inferomedial orbital fracture. Selected patients were divided into two groups. Group A underwent surgery with the 3D-printed standardized implant, while group B was treated using a manual technique to mold and trim the implant. A total of 32 patients was included in this study, 16 in each group. The volume of the preoperative lesion side was significantly different from that of the normal side or postoperative lesion side within each group. The volume of the postoperative lesion side was not statistically different from that of the normal side in Group A, but this volume was significantly different from that of the normal side in Group B. The 3D-printed standardized implant provides surgical efficacy to restore inferomedial orbital fracture and has superior surgical outcomes to the manual-bending implant.