Three-Dimensional Printing in Urology: History, Current Applications, and Future Directions

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Urological Technology
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing, an additive manufacturing technique, generates physical objects from digital models.
• Its applications are expanding across various industries, including pharmaceuticals and medical device development.
• Patient-specific anatomical models are increasingly utilized in healthcare for surgical simulation and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the historical development, current uses, challenges, and future prospects of 3D printing in urology.
• To synthesize existing literature on the integration of 3D printing technologies within the urological field.
• To identify key trends and opportunities for 3D printing to impact urological practice.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted using Web of Science and PubMed databases.
• Searches were performed for publications between January 2008 and May 2018.
• Keywords included "3D printing" and "urology," resulting in the inclusion of 46 relevant articles.

Main Results:

• 3D printing is utilized in urology for creating patient-specific organ models for surgical planning and training.
• The technology aids in the design and prototyping of novel urological instruments and devices.
• Applications extend to drug development and testing within the pharmaceutical sector relevant to urology.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing presents a transformative technology with diverse applications in urology, from surgical planning to device innovation.
• Continued research and development are essential to overcome current limitations and fully realize the potential of 3D printing in urological care.
• The integration of 3D printing is poised to enhance surgical precision, improve patient outcomes, and drive innovation in urology.