Effectiveness of 3D visualization technologies in planning and performing reconstructive plastic surgeries in patients with elbow contractures caused by ossification

Abstract

Background. Open reconstructive plastic surgeries are the most radical method of treating patients with elbow contractures caused by ossification. However, these surgeries pose a serious problem due to the large number of unsatisfactory results. The aim of the study is a comparative assessment of the effectiveness between standard techniques and 3D visualization technologies in the surgical treatment of patients with elbow contractures caused by ossification. Methods. Using random number generation, all patients (n = 71) were randomized into two groups. The first group included 34 patients with elbow contractures caused by ossification that underwent surgical intervention using 3D technologies to assess the ossification process. The second group enrolled 37 patients with a similar nosology that underwent standard examination and surgical treatment. The results were evaluated intraoperatively and 180 days after the surgery. The data were obtained from primary medical records and further survey. Results. The application of new planning technology and tactics for onstructive plastic surgeries made it possible to reduce the surgery time by 1.2 times (p0.05), reduce blood loss by 1.3 times (p0.05) and increase the relative number of patients with sufficient movement volume by 10.6% (p0.05). The assessment of various performance parameters (range of motion, pain syndrome, quality of life etc.) showed that after 6 months in the main group, the relative number of patients with problems related to the operated joint was significantly lower than in the control group: 20.5% vs 84.7% (p0.05). Conclusions. The data obtained indicate that the use of the new technique for planning and performing reconstructive plastic surgery in patients with elbow contractures caused by ossification contributes to a less invasive intervention and achievement of better intraoperative and medium-term treatment results.