Improving Patients’ Quality of Life After Surgical Treatment of Primary Malignant Bone Tumors Using a Training 3D Model

Abstract

Background. Bone neoplasms significantly reduce the patient’s quality of life (QoL) not only during the manifestation of the primary disease but also at various treatment stages. Aim. To study the QoL indicators in patients with primary malignant bone tumors before and after surgical treatment using a training 3D model. Materials and Methods. 44 patients with primary malignant tumors of the lower extremities (osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma) were treated by surgery. 3D modeling was used to plan the surgical intervention. 3D printing of the models of the pathological foci was performed by the method of layer-by-layer deposition (Fused Deposition Modeling, FDM) using a Creatbot D600 3D printer. The QoL index of patients before and 3 weeks after surgical treatment was measured by the arithmetic sum of the scores of the QLQ-C30 simplified version questionnaire. Results. The surgical removal of a tumor using a training 3D model had a positive effect on the QoL of patients. Before treatment, the QoL index was on average 7.4 ± 1.2 points, and after treatment 9.4 ± 1.3 points, that is, by 27% higher. Conclusions. The use of training 3D models not only implements a strategy of personalized treatment and improves the QoL of patients but also contributes to optimization of the postoperative rehabilitation.