title: Comparative use of the computer-aided angiography and rapid prototyping technology versus conventional imaging in the management of the Tile C pelvic fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Computed tomography (CT) scan with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction has been used to evaluate complex fractures in pre-operative planning. In this study, rapid prototyping of a life-size model based on 3D reconstructions including bone and vessel was applied to evaluate the feasibility and prospect of these new technologies in surgical therapy of Tile C pelvic fractures by observing intra- and perioperative outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors conducted a retrospective study on a group of 157 consecutive patients with Tile C pelvic fractures. Seventy-six patients were treated with conventional pre-operative preparation (A group) and 81 patients were treated with the help of computer-aided angiography and rapid prototyping technology (B group). Assessment of the two groups considered the following perioperative parameters: length of surgical procedure, intra-operative complications, intra- and postoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), length of stay, and type of discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups were homogeneous when compared in relation to mean age, sex, body weight, injury severity score, associated injuries and pelvic fracture severity score. Group B was performed in less time (105 ± 19 minutes vs. 122 ± 23 minutes) and blood loss (31.0 ± 8.2 g/L vs. 36.2 ± 7.4 g/L) compared with group A. Patients in group B experienced less pain (2.5 ± 2.3 NRS score vs. 2.8 ± 2.0 NRS score), and PONV affected only 8 % versus 10 % of cases. Times to discharge were shorter (7.8 ± 2.0 days vs. 10.2 ± 3.1 days) in group B, and most of patients were discharged to home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study, patients of Tile C pelvic fractures treated with computer-aided angiography and rapid prototyping technology had a better perioperative outcome than patients treated with conventional pre-operative preparation. Further studies are necessary to investigate the advantages in terms of clinical results in the short and long run.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, 111 Liu Hua Road, Guangzhou, 510010, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Baofeng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou, 510010, China.
authors.forename: Bei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, 111 Liu Hua Road, Guangzhou, 510010, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. zhangying_gz@163.com.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, 111 Liu Hua Road, Guangzhou, 510010, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xinyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, 111 Liu Hua Road, Guangzhou, 510010, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, 111 Liu Hua Road, Guangzhou, 510010, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, 111 Liu Hua Road, Guangzhou, 510010, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qingshui
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Angiography; Computer; Pelvic fracture; Perioperative outcome; Rapid prototyping