Three-Dimensional Printing in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• 3D printing technology has evolved significantly in spine surgery applications.
• Initial uses focused on patient-specific biomodels for preoperative planning.
• The field is transitioning towards intraoperative tools and patient-matched implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in 3D printing for spine surgery.
• To explore the application of 3D printing in minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS).

Main Methods:

• Literature review of 3D printing applications in spine surgery.
• Analysis of the shift from biomodels to surgical guides, templates, and implants.
• Exploration of 3D printing's role in tissue engineering for bone regeneration.

Main Results:

• 3D printing has progressed from preoperative biomodels to patient-specific surgical guides and implants.
• There is a recognized lack of long-term outcome data and cost-effectiveness analyses.
• 3D printing shows promise for tissue engineering and bone regeneration scaffolds.
• Significant potential exists for 3D printing in minimally invasive spine surgery, pending further data.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing is increasingly integral to spine surgery, offering personalized solutions.
• Further clinical validation and economic assessments are crucial for broader adoption, especially in MISS.
• 3D printing holds potential for advancing bone regeneration techniques in spinal fusion.