🔍 Key Findings
- Minimally invasive acetabular fracture repair using pre-contoured plates on 3D-printed hemipelvic models was feasible and accurate in canine cadavers.
- Fracture gap and step defects were consistently small, with median gap <2 mm and step defect <1 mm across all specimens.
- Pelvic angulation was preserved postoperatively with median changes in sagittal and coronal angles <5°.
- Sciatic nerve injury was minimal, with no injury in 4/5 cadavers and mild superficial injury in 1.
- Surgical time was acceptable, with a median total operative time of 46 min for cadaver repairs.
- In a clinical case, radiographic healing was confirmed at 3 months, with weight bearing within 24 hours postoperatively.
- Locking screws helped maintain reduction despite lack of interfragmentary compression, though long working length may reduce construct rigidity.
- Fluoroscopy and direct visualization were needed for optimal reduction, suggesting arthroscopic assistance may enhance minimally invasive applications in the future.
