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Case Reports
. 2021 Oct 25:36:100549.
doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2021.100549. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Forearm segmental bone defect: Successful management using the Masquelet Technique with the aid of 3D printing technology

Giulia Pachera  1 , Emmanuele Santolini  1 , Alessandra Galuppi  1 , Emanuela Dapelo  1 , Giacomo Demontis  1 , Matteo Formica  1 , Federico Santolini  1 , Stefania Briano  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Forearm segmental bone defect: Successful management using the Masquelet Technique with the aid of 3D printing technology

Giulia Pachera et al. Trauma Case Rep. .

Erratum in

Abstract

The management of forearm nonunion is challenging for orthopaedic surgeons because the forearm is a unique anatomical segment in which all the bones and structures involved embody a complex functional unit. Therefore, when treating such a complex condition, the surgeon must focus not only on bone healing but also on the restoration of the native anatomy in order to replicate the normal relationship between the bones and all the surrounding structures and thus the full function of the forearm, the elbow and the wrist. Here we report the case of a 53-year-old patient with a left forearm deformity due to an atrophic nonunion of the ulna and a malunion of the radius, which was successfully managed with the use of the Masquelet technique associated with a corrective osteotomy of the radius, performed with the aid of a 3D model.

Keywords: 3D model; 3D printing; Bone defect(s); Forearm; Masquelet technique; Non-union(s).

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflict of interest. No funding was received for the completion of this project.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(A) Radiological and (B) clinical anterior-posterior and lateral views of the deformity showing an atrophic nonunion of the proximal ulnar shaft and a malunion of the proximal shaft of the radius.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A) Intraoperative evidence of the formation of the induced membrane with cement spacer still in place; (B) cortico-cancellous bone grafting of the defect; (C) anterior-posterior and lateral post-operative X-ray control.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Follow-up at 6 months: (A) radiological healing of both bones with restoration of correct anatomic relationship between radius and ulna and adjacent joints; (B) full clinical recovery with complete ROM in pronation-supination of the forearm and flexion-extension of wrist and elbow.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Pre-operative planning and intra-operative use of the 3D printing technology: (A) CT 3D reconstruction and 3D preprint rendering of the forearm deformity; (B) simulation of the osteotomy with the 3D cutting guide on the 3D model and evaluation of its effects; (C) intra-operative utilisation of the 3D cutting guide.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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