Abstract:Objective To investigate the clinical effect of 3D printing combined with minimally invasive plate in the treatment of distal tibial fractures. Objective From January 2017 to October 2017, 24 patients with closed distal tibial fractures were diagnosed in the Department of Orthopaedics, Puren Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology. They were randomly divided into 3D minimally invasive group (n = 12) and conventional minimally invasive group (n = 12) according to the number table method, and all patients underwent CT scan of the lower tibia and fibula. The data of 3D minimally invasive group were output in medical digital imaging and communication (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, DICOM) format. The data were processed by software and input into 3D printer to make a fracture model with a ratio of 1:1 to fracture site and simulated reduction before operation. According to the routine MIPPO technique, the fracture internal fixation was performed in the conventional minimally invasive group. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative fluoroscopy were compared between the two groups; Burwell-Charnley standard was used to evaluate the reduction of fracture; AOFAS ankle score system was used to evaluate the functional recovery of ankle joint 12 months after operation. Results There was no significant difference in imaging scores between the two groups (P > 0.05); the operation time, blood loss and the number of fluoroscopy in 3D minimally invasive group were significantly better than those in conventional minimally invasive group (P < 0.05); the AOFAS ankle score of 3D minimally invasive group was compared with that of conventional minimally invasive group at 12 months after operation. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion The application of 3D printing combined with minimally invasive plate technique in the treatment of distal tibial fractures has obvious advantages over traditional minimally invasive surgery, and can provide a new idea for the treatment of distal tibial fractures.