Operation

Operation: 3D assisted surgical reconstruction of a severe knee injury using a tibial plateau of a donor knee

At ISCOMS 2025, participants will have the unique opportunity to witness a surgical procedure led by a multidisciplinary team consisting of trauma surgeon Frank IJpma, MD PhD, orthopedic surgeon Hugo van der Veen, MD PhD, and technical physician Nick Assink. Through exclusive surgical footage, the audience will see firsthand how advanced 3D technology is used to reconstruct a severely damaged tibial plateau using an allograft from a donor.

The case being presented focuses on a patient with a complex tibial plateau fracture, a serious injury that can severely damage the joint surface. In this case, the lateral plateau was heavily affected, leading to instability, pain, and a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. Due to the patient’s age, a total knee prosthesis was not a suitable option. Instead, reconstruction with a donor bone (allograft) was chosen. This approach requires meticulous preoperative planning and precise execution to achieve optimal results while minimising risks.

At the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), 3D technology is revolutionising orthopedic trauma care. With the help of our in-house 3D lab, injuries can be assessed with incredible accuracy, and surgeries can be virtually planned. These virtual plans are then brought to life in the operating room with patient-specific surgical guides or implants. Seamless collaboration between surgeons, technical physicians, and engineers is key to the success of this process.

This surgery illustrates how medical experts collaborate using advanced 3D techniques at every stage of treatment. It underscores how cutting-edge technology continues to shape the future of medicine, improving surgical precision and patient outcomes.