Technological advancement is shaping the future of veterinary medicine, and one particular development has become a critical component in modern veterinary orthopedics - custom-made surgical drill and sawblade guides. These tools, created with the assistance of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) surgery planning based on detailed CT scans, are bringing about a remarkable improvement in surgical precision, efficiency, and the overall success of patient outcomes.
The use of custom designed surgical guides has been particularly transformative in several scenarios:
Bone Deformities Correction: In cases of complex bone deformities, such as Antebrachial Deformities, surgical guides provide an accurate roadmap for conducting the necessary corrections. The guides align with the animal's unique anatomy, enabling a precise and effective surgical approach.
Medial Patellar Luxation: For medial patellar luxation cases, which often require intricate femoral osteotomies, surgical guides help ensure the correct rotation and angulation. This precision leads to improved surgical outcomes and reduces potential complications.
Humeral Intracondylar Fissure (HIF/IOHC): Surgical guides designed for the placement of transcondylar screws in HIF/IOHC cases are crucial. These guides ensure the accurate positioning of the screw, minimizing the risk of further complications and enhancing the success rate of the procedure.
Spinal Stabilisation: Procedures involving spinal stabilization, especially those that require vertebral pedicle screws, greatly benefit from custom guides. These guides facilitate the precise insertion of screws, crucial for the stability and success of the procedure.
The Role of CAD Surgery Planning
The creation of custom-made surgical guides is made possible through CAD surgery planning. This process uses data from CT scans to develop a detailed, 3D digital model of the surgical area. With this model, CABIOMEDE engineers in cooperation with orthopedic surgeons meticulously plan each procedure, identifying potential challenges and adapting the surgical approach to each animal's specific needs.
In addition to aiding in the design of the surgical guides, CAD surgery planning also significantly enhances communication with pet owners. The 3D models provide an intuitive visual aid for explaining complex surgical procedures, promoting understanding and encouraging informed decision-making.
Surgical guides materials
The resin materials used in 3D printing surgical guides must meet stringent biocompatibility standards to ensure safety. Biocompatibility refers to the ability of a material to perform its desired function, without eliciting any undesirable local or systemic effects in the body. It implies that the material is non-toxic, non-inflammatory, and non-carcinogenic.
Stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) have emerged as the most precise 3D printing technologies for creating surgical guides. Both utilize a UV light source to selectively cure liquid resin layer-by-layer, resulting in high-resolution, detailed models. These resins, when cured, form solid objects that are strong and precise, making them ideal for the creation of surgical guides.
Importantly, these biocompatible resins meet key biocompatibility standards, such as those outlined in the ISO 10993 series for biological evaluation of medical devices. This series of standards sets the criteria for the assessment of the biocompatibility of medical devices, covering tests for cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation, or intracutaneous reactivity, systemic toxicity, and more.
Compliance with these biocompatibility standards ensures the safety of these resins in surgical applications, offering peace of mind for veterinary professionals and leading to improved outcomes in veterinary orthopedics.
