Conformity of Three Pre-Contoured Clavicular Plates Compared Using Personalized 3D-Printed Models of Clavicles from Patients

Abstract

The human clavicle’s unique S-shaped, three-dimensional structure complicates fracture management. This study evaluated the anatomical conformity of pre-contoured anatomical plates using 3D-printed clavicle models. CT scans from 30 patients (15 males and 15 females) were used to create these models. Three brands of distal clavicle plate systems (Acumed, Synthes, and Arthrex) were tested for fit. Measurements included the distance from the distal end of the clavicle to the plate’s lateral end, the gap between the clavicle and the plate, and the overhang distance. Results showed significant differences in clavicle length between sexes, with men having a mean length of 156.1 ± 7.6 mm and women 138.4 ± 4.3 mm, both with normal distribution (p > 0.05). The mean lateral distance was 7.9 ± 1.7 mm, and the mean medial gap was 3.6 ± 3.0 mm, showing no significant differences between products or sexes. The mean overhang distance was 5.8 ± 4.6 mm, with larger values in women for the Acumed (p = 0.037) and Arthrex (p = 0.000) plates. Overall, pre-contoured plates exhibited notable discrepancies, especially in shorter clavicles.

Keywords

• shoulder
• anatomical plate
• pre-contoured plate
• 3D printing
• fracture