Abstract:[Objective] To explore the value of surgical planning by digital virtual reality and 3D printing for open reduction and inter- nal fixation of complex tibial plateau fractures. [Methods] A total of 60 patients who were admitted into our hospital from June 2018 to June 2019 for complex tibial plateau fractures were randomly divided into two groups. Of them, 30 patients underwent open reduction and inter- nal fixation based on preoperative surgical planning by digital virtual reality and 3D printing, while another 30 patients underwent opera- tions by using conventional techniques. The perioperative, follow-up and imaging data were compared between the two groups. [Results] All the patients in both groups had operation completed successfully. The 3D group proved significantly superior to the conventional group in terms of operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, plate placement times, incidence of postoperative tension blister and hospital stay (P<0.05) . The follow- up period lasted for18~28 months, with a mean of (22.36 ± 10.28) months. The 3D group resumed walking and full weight bearing activity significantly earlier than the conventional group (P<0.05) . The VAS scores decreased significantly (P<0.05) , whereas the HSS score and knee extension-flexion range of motion (ROM) significantly in- creased in both groups over time postoperatively (P<0.05) . At the corresponding postoperative time point, the 3D group was significantly su- perior to the conventional group in abovementioned items (P<0.05) . Regarding to radiographic assessment, the 3D group got significantly better quality of fracture reduction postoperatively, and more proper medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and posterior tibial slope (PTS) at the latest follow up than the conventional group (P<0.05) . [Conclusion] The digital virtual reality and 3D printing used for preoperative sur- gical planning do considerably improve the precision of open reduction and internal fixation, and improve the clinical outcome for complex tibial plateau fractures.