3D printing in surgical planning
3D printing is rapid prototyping technology, which creates 3D structures in added layers. 3D prints can be of various materials from chocolate to titanium and different objects spanning household products to state of the art custom made patient specific implants.
3D printing will be utilized for preoperative surgical planning especially in pelvic sarcomas.
The pelvis including the tumor is printed in 1:1. The model can be sterilized and brought in to the operation theatre.
The model allows the surgeon to accurately plan 3 dimensional osteotomies with the desired margins and measure distances to anatomical landmarks ensuring the planned resection and reconstruction.
If plating is planned, plates can be contoured precisely preoperatively, shortening operation time and facilitating anatomical reconstruction.
3D printed 1:1 models and resection guides is an alternative method to computer-assisted surgery based on pre- or intraoperative CT scans.
Besides tumor resections 3D printed models can be utilized in deformity surgery, particularly in rotational deformities, which can be quite difficult to correct precisely as it`s an intraoperative clinical assessment.
Patient specific molds can be printed for the fabrication of cement spacers for infected prosthesis.