CARD - Computer assisted planning of hemiarthroplasty for complex fractures of the proximal humerus.

With the help of the software (CASPA), developed in-house, pathological conditions can be analyzed in 3D and plans for surgery simulated preoperatively.

The preoperative plan encompasses the individual analysis of the deformity as well as a virtual simulation of different surgical scenarios in order to identify the best possible solution for each patient. With the help of 3d-Printing technologies patient specific incision and drilling gauges/ navigation instruments can be manufactured which can then be used during the surgical procedure, enabling the orthopedic surgeons to operate (precisely) according to the pre-operative plan.

A precise analysis of the patients pathological conditions and the drafting of feasible/potential pre-operative plans plus the manufacturing of precise (patient specific) instruments are essential in providing the best surgical treatments for patients. Widening the research area, the project rendered possible duet to close cooperation with teams of the orthopedic surgery department at the University Clinic Balgrist, the CARD-Team as well as the Computer Vision Laboratory at the ETH Zurich.

The possibility of real time exchange between highly specialized orthopedists and members of the engineering team provides the most advanced conditions for the combination of clinical and technical expertise for actual patient-specific orthopedics. Quantification of the orthopedic procedures in regard to its assessment of accuracy is a crucial step towards achieving the best possible treatment for each patient.

In recent years the innovative combination of 3D-pre-operative planning and 3D-printing was adapted to different pathologies and applied at the Balgrist University Clinic for the treatment of more than 250 complex orthopedic operations encompassing almost all anatomies (forearm, humerus, pelvis, femur, tibia, foot, tumor) with promising results.

An advantage being the ability to perform operations more precisely than with free-hand surgery and, additionally, previously (– even in the hands of an expert -) inoperable surgical interventions are made possible .

Patients treated with this advanced technology benefit directly from the individualized and optimized treatment of their specific pathological conditions. The best solution for each patient can be found and the treatment can be aligned with specific patient needs. In addition, 3D visualizations enable surgeons to illustrate deformities and inform patients about all relevant steps from pre-operative planning and surgical procedure to postoperative rehabilitation as well as outlining expected results to the patient.