3D-Printed Patient-Specific Implants in Maxillofacial Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of...

Maxillofacial reconstruction presents unique surgical challenges. Traditional reconstructive techniques often lack precision and long-term reliability. The integration of patient-specific implants (PSIs) offers an enhanced anatomical fit and surgical efficiency. This study aimed to assess the use of 3D-printed PSIs in maxillofacial reconstruction. This study was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the protocol was made available on PROSPERO. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid, CINAHL, WHO Virtual Health Library, and Google Scholar using keywords related to maxillofacial reconstruction and patient-specific 3D-printed implants. The quality of the eligible studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. A meta-analysis of implant integration outcomes was conducted using the Der Simonian-Laird random-effects model. Eight studies involving 183 patients were included in the review, with six studies contributing to the meta-analysis. The pooled implant success rate was 94.7% (95% CI: 91.4% to 98.0%), indicating excellent clinical outcomes with minimal heterogeneity (I² = 0%). Most studies employed virtual surgical planning and in-house 3D printing, which reduced the production time and costs. The reported complications were minor (e.g., seroma and infection), with no major implant failures. 3D-printed PSIs demonstrate high rates of clinical success, workflow efficiency, and radiographic accuracy in maxillofacial reconstruction procedures.