Three-Dimensional Printing Applications in Pediatric Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP) is increasingly utilized in medicine, particularly in spine surgery.
• While its use in adult populations is well-documented, evidence in pediatric spinal surgery remains limited.
• This review focuses on the application and outcomes of 3DP in pediatric spinal procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the current applications of 3DP technology in pediatric spinal surgery.
• To assess the surgical outcomes associated with 3DP use in pediatric patients.
• To identify the efficacy of 3DP in improving surgical accuracy and planning.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed using relevant databases and keywords, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Inclusion criteria focused on original studies of 3DP in pediatric spinal surgery, excluding adult, non-deformity, animal, review, and non-English articles.
• Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis.

Main Results:

• Studies utilizing 3DP pedicle screw placement guides demonstrated significantly improved screw placement accuracy.
• The use of 3D spine models in preoperative planning was consistently found to be beneficial, with an 89.9% screw placement accuracy rate.
• No significant differences were observed in operative time or blood loss when using 3DP technology.

Conclusions:

• 3DP technology, including pedicle screw drill guides and spine models, is effectively employed in preoperative planning for pediatric spinal deformity surgery.
• These applications contribute to improved patient outcomes in pediatric spinal procedures.
• 3DP shows promise in enhancing precision and planning in pediatric spine surgery.