ArticleClinics in shoulder and elbow2024
Utility of three-dimensional printing in the surgical management of intra-articular distal humerus fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Article in Clinics in shoulder and elbow, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 3 citations in OpenAlex.
- A Comprehensive Review of 3D Imaging and Printing in Proximal Humerus Fractures and Sequelae.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Utility of three-dimensional printing in the surgical management of intra-articular distal humerus fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Clinics in shoulder and elbow · 2024Article
- Clinical validation of enhanced CT imaging for distal radius fractures through conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGAN).PloS one · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundClinical outcomes after fixation of distal humerus intraarticular fractures are directly related to the quality of reduction. The use of three-dimensional (3D)-printed fracture models can benefit preoperative planning to ensure good reduction. This review aims to determine if surgery performed with 3D printing assistance are faster and result in fewer complications and improved clinical outcomes than conventional methods. We also outline the benefits and drawbacks of this novel technique in surgical management of distal humerus fractures.
methodsA systematic literature search was carried out in various electronic databases. Search results were screened based on title and abstract. Data from eligible studies were extracted into spreadsheets. Meta-analysis was performed using appropriate computer software.
resultsThree randomized controlled trials with 144 cases were included in the final analysis. The 3D-printed group had significantly shorter mean operating time (mean difference, 16.25 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12.74-19.76 minutes; P<0.001) and mean intraoperative blood loss (30.40 mL; 95% CI, 10.45-60.36 mL; P=0.005) compared with the conventional group. The 3D-printed group also tended to have fewer complications and a better likelihood of good or excellent outcomes as per the Mayo elbow performance score, but this did not reach statistical significance.
conclusionsThree-dimensional-printing-assisted surgery in distal humerus fractures has several benefits in reduced operating time and lower blood loss, indirectly decreasing other complications such as infection and anemia-related issues. Future good-quality studies are required to conclusively demonstrate the benefits of 3D printing in improving clinical outcomes. Level of evidence: I.
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Registered trials
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