A new technology combined robotics and 3D printing facilitates closed reduction of tibia shaft fractures using a minimally invasive plate as a reduction template: A technical note.

Less invasive fixation techniques are the mainstay in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures (TSFs), Intramedullary nailing (IMN) and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) are the least invasive and the preferred choices used nowadays. However, malreduction and radiation exposure are the main deficiencies associated with less invasive fixation techniques, especially rotation around the shaft axis is difficult to assess intra-operatively. Our focus is on describing a novel technology that integrates robotics and 3D printing to facilitate closed reduction of Tibial shaft fractures using minimally invasive plates as reduction templates. Using this technique, we have achieved anatomic reduction on phantom bone.