SC Connecticut News

Lisa Lattanza, MD, Chair and Ensign Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, has performed the first fully in-house 3D surgical case at Yale. Lattanza, who previously performed the world’s first elbow transplant before joining Yale School of Medicine as chair in 2019, aims to integrate her expertise in 3D surgical planning with emerging innovations in 3D technology to position Yale as a leader in orthopaedic care.

The inaugural in-house custom 3D surgical procedure addressed a distal radius malunion—a condition where a broken forearm heals incorrectly. Working with a team at Yale, Lattanza developed a 3D surgical plan for the patient, printed personalized surgical guides, and created anatomically precise models of the bone structure. Utilizing advanced imaging software combined with 3D modeling and printing allowed for optimal outcomes through a non-standardized approach without making an incision. This endeavor underscores the synergy between orthopaedics and engineering while opening new avenues in personalized medicine.

“Orthopaedic surgery is geared towards functionality and returning patients to normal life,” said Lattanza. “Our priority is to fully understand each patient and develop a plan of care based on their specific needs.”

Traditionally reliant on two-dimensional images like X-rays, surgeons now benefit from innovations in 3D surgical planning that provide enhanced care for patients suffering from improperly healed injuries or congenital problems. Specialized software converts CT or MRI scans into digital anatomy models that enable pre-surgical planning.

Yale surgeons can now utilize the 3D Collaborative for Medical Innovation (3DC) within the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation to create patient-specific models and tools. Alyssa Glennon, Program Director and Lead Engineer at 3DC, emphasized how this initiative integrates advanced technologies into surgical planning.

“Our primary objective is to support our clinicians by bringing engineering expertise into their surgical planning,” Glennon said. “With our in-house team, we offer patient-specific solutions wherever needed.”

The first procedure involved correcting an injury-induced forearm malunion causing wrist impairment. Traditionally corrected via osteotomy—cutting bones and repositioning them—this case utilized detailed pre-surgical plans derived from CT imagery processed by engineers collaborating closely with surgeons.

Lattanza's collaboration with Glennon led to designing and printing patient-specific jigs and guides along with anatomical models for reference during surgery. The procedure involved correcting both radius and ulna bones based on the pre-surgical plan.

Beyond orthopaedics, the capabilities of the 3DC extend to other medical fields through services such as medical imaging data segmentation, CAD design of medical devices, extended reality model deployment, among others.

“We want to offer the best patient experience possible through the 3DC,” Glennon stated. “Engineering is part of the pit crew for healthcare teams.”

Since its inception, the 3DC has supported multiple orthopaedic cases involving both upper and lower extremities. Discussions are ongoing with various departments about leveraging engineering technology to enhance surgeon effectiveness and patient care.

In addition to clinical applications, advancements in personalized medicine are being integrated into education through Yale’s master’s degree program in personalized medicine and applied engineering launched in collaboration between several departments including Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation.

“This technology allows us to treat every patient as an individual,” said Lattanza. “It also serves as a powerful learning tool breaking down assumptions made about orthopaedic problems when studied only in two dimensions.”

As these technologies continue evolving rapidly, they promise significant impacts on patient care by enabling more individualized treatment plans based on three-dimensional anatomical understanding.