Design and Application of 3D-Printed Customized Pelvic Prostheses

Objective This article presents the design and fabrication of individualized pelvic prostheses by integrating three-dimensional (3D) printing technology with advanced design software, and evaluates their feasibility and clinical efficacy.

Methods Based on the patient’s anatomy and biomechanical requirements, a patient-specific pelvic prosthesis was designed with digital reconstruction software, manufactured by hybrid additive (3-D printing) and subtractive (machining) techniques, and finally evaluated in clinical practice to confirm its feasibility.

Results Through intensive surgeon-engineer cooperation and meticulous pre-operative planning, tumor resection was performed with patient-specific precision. Guided by established pelvic-tumor classification systems, a bespoke prosthesis was designed and fabricated. The implant matched the surgical plan exactly, was inserted without deviation, and post-operative imaging showed complete pelvic reconstruction with satisfactory healing.

Conclusion By synthesizing previous theoretical work, we summarized design priorities for prostheses addressing different pelvic defect patterns. Digital reconstruction software, 3-D printing technology and precision machining enabled the design and production of individualized pelvic prostheses. Clinical application verified their feasibility and efficacy, offering a practical solution for post-resection defects after pelvic tumor surgery and other special pathological conditions.