Clinical Research Directory

Advanced Surgical Simulation Processes in the Correction of Skeletal Defects and Deformities

Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP), Computer-Aided Surgical Simulation (CASS) for bone corrections, and the customization of implants and devices through 3D printing, known as Patient-Specific Instruments (PSI) and Graft-Specific Instruments (GSI), are assuming increasingly central roles in orthopedic clinical and surgical practice. One area witnessing notable advancement is the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders (MMS) in children, adolescents, and young adults. These disorders involve severe and rare abnormalities in skeletal formation and development across three-dimensional planes, often affecting multiple limbs. Managing such deformities is complex, challenging to standardize, and prone to unpredictable clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes. The application of 3D modeling and printing technologies offers a deeper understanding of deformities and facilitates improved prediction, precision, reproducibility, and safety in surgical interventions. The Musculoskeletal Apparatus Network (RAMS Network) centers are equipped with advanced 3D laboratories for surgical simulation and planning, aligned with the overarching goal of improving surgery quality through "in-silico" medicine (ISM) principles. At present, numerous complex surgeries involving Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) and sterilizable 3D-printed Patient-Specific Instruments (PSI) and/or Graft-Specific Instruments (GSI) are being simulated and performed at the Rizzoli Institute. Preliminary data from previous protocols indicate a significant reduction in surgical time with the implementation of VSP and the utilization of PSI and GSI. The aim of this study is to enhance the current process of simulating, planning, and designing surgical support tools within 3D Printing Point-of-Care (3D POC) facilities. To achieve this, it is imperative to expand case volumes and systematically organize, categorize, and standardize simulation and planning procedures.

Customized Bone Allografts by 3D-printing

Virtual surgical planning (VSP), the simulation of bone corrections in virtual reality ("Computer Aided Surgical Simulation": CASS) and 3D printing of customized implants and devices are achieving an increasingly central role in clinical practice and orthopaedic surgery. Those technologies and processes allow an allow incredibly versatile and accurate planning and reproduction of complex bone correction or joint replacement procedures. Recent and converging evidence document how the use of these technologies is able to significantly reduce surgical times, bleeding and intra-operative complications, and the use of intra-operative fluoroscopy. Due to the collaboration between the ward of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute and the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN) of the University of Bologna it was possible to experiment, validate and introduce simulation, planning and personalization technologies of interventions of corrective surgery of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) of the limbs in childhood and developmental age into clinical practice. (3D-MALF - CE AVEC: 356/2018/Sper/IOR). Currently, extremely complex bone correction interventions are often planned and performed through Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing of models and custom sterilizable cutting guides (Patient-Specific Instrument, PSI). In pediatric orthopedic surgery is often necessary to use homologous massive bone grafts customized on the patient's anatomy, which can be employed in the replacement of neoplastic lesions, in the axial correction of deformities or even in the extemporaneous lengthening of bone segments. The Musculoskeletal Tissue Bank (BTM) regularly provides bone grafts processed in a Class A controlled contamination environment according to GMP (Clean Room), guaranteeing quality and microbiological safety. The current realization standard of bone grafts on specific request is a freehand realization. The BTM technicians model the grafts, based on the indications received (length, width, height, indications on geometry), using standard surgical instruments (osteotomes, oscillating saws, etc.). The present clinical trial aims to validate the feasibility, accuracy and effectiveness of an innovative process for producing customized bone allografts to correct bone deformities in children. the customization process will be conducted by using computer-aided surgical simulation and 3D printing.

Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling of Muscle Spasticity

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a movement and posture disorder caused by an injury to the developing brain, with a prevalence in Sweden of about 2/1000 live births. Children with CP have walking difficulties, and decreased muscle mass and muscle function as compared to typically developing (TD) children. The extent of disability in CP depends on the severity and timing of the primary cerebral lesion and can be classified with the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS E\&R) that ranges from walking without limitations (I) to being transported in a wheelchair (V). Muscle function commonly deteriorates with age and contracture development is often clinically evident as early as at 4 years of age. In addition to being thinner and weaker, skeletal muscle in children with CP develop poor quality, i.e., increasingly higher amounts of fat and connective tissue at the expense of functional, contractile proteins. How long-term standard treatments for children with spastic CP including, training and orthotics use, with botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) treatment as an adjunct, affects muscle on functional, structural, and microscopic level in CP has not yet been published. Therefore, we will investigate the muscle function as well as functional mobility, structure, and spasticity. We will conduct functional mobility tests. Muscle strength will be measured with a rig-fixed dynamometer, and muscle structure will be measured with magnetic resonance imaging. The spasticity will be instrumentally assessed by the NeuroflexorTM, a machine measuring resistance in a muscle when a pedal is passively moving the participants foot at two different speeds. We will follow participants, for 1 year, with 4 measurements during this period. In order to better treat these children, we need to better understand the complex, interrelated interactions of musculoskeletal properties and function in children with CP. Our hypothesis is that muscle structure and function is affected by standard clinical treatments sessions including routine botulinum toxin treatment. Analyzing the effect of standard care may help planning of more effective clinical treatments in the future.