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Applying 3-Dimensional Printing and Modeling for Preoperative Reconstruction and Instrumentation Placement Planning
James P Caruso1, Benjamin R Kafka1, Jeffrey I Traylor1
1Department of Neurological Surgery,University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Background:
Advances in three-dimensional (3D) printing technology have enabled the development of customized instrumentation and surgical training platforms. However, no existing studies have assessed how patient-specific 3D-printed spine models can facilitate patient education and operative planning in complex spinal deformity correction.
Objective:
To present a cost-effective technique for constructing personalized 3D-printed spine models for patients with severe spinal deformities and to outline how these models can promote informed consent, trainee education, and planning for instrumentation placement and alignment correction.
Methods:
We present 2 patients who underwent surgical correction of progressive thoracolumbar deformities. Full-scale 3D-printed models of each patient's spine were produced preoperatively and used during clinic evaluations, surgical planning, and as intraoperative references.
Results:
Each model took 9 days to build and required less than 60 US dollars of material costs. Both patients were treated with a posterior approach and contiguous multilevel osteotomies. Postoperatively, their alignment parameters and neurological deficits improved.
Conclusion:
Personalized 3D-printed spine models can aid in patient education, surgical training, visualization, and correction of complex spinal deformities.
