Bone Tumour and Limb Reconstruction Group

Our research activities are aimed at the development and application of novel surgical techniques and computer aided methods in diagnostics, orthopedic treatment planning and operative orthopedics. The methods developed in our research group are focused on the patient-specific approach, satisfying the individualized treatment demands in modern orthopaedics. Due to the advent of powerful computer hardware and developments in imaging technology, we have been able to manage a wider spectrum of patients and challenging cases than before. Our interests encompass a number of surgical treatment areas spanning the dysplastic acetabulum, limb lengthening and musculoskeletal tumors.

One aspect of our interest involves improvement of the lesion, tumoror congenital disorder diagnostics using advanced image processing techniques. The second aspect involves patient-specificsurgery planning. A computer patient model is generated based on the acquired tomographic data. Virtual patient models enablenot only the simulationand optimization of the surgical treatment or individualized implantdesign, but also its transfer into the intraoperative navigation system supporting and guiding the surgeon during these challenging operations. Alternatively it allows the 3D printing of the anatomicalregion of interest as well as the 3D printing of surgical cutting and drill guides. These developments were used in a first successful operation in August 2014 for a resection and reconstruction of a 6 year old sarcoma patient at the UKBB.