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Spine Surgeons' Attitudes Towards 3D Printed Anatomical Models: A Survey Study
Marton Bartos1, Benjamin Hajnal1, Agoston Jakab Pokorni1
1In Silico Biomechanics Laboratory, National Center for Spinal Disorders, Budapest, Hungary; School of PhD Studies, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
World Neurosurgery
|February 15, 2026
Summary
Spine surgeons find 3D printed anatomical models highly valuable for patient education and complex surgical planning, rating them superior to traditional imaging. Perceived utility is linked to case complexity, not surgeon experience.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- 3D Printing Technology
Background:
- 3D printed anatomical models offer advanced capabilities in operative medicine, particularly for complex surgical planning and patient education.
- Widespread adoption of these models is limited, and spinal surgeons' perspectives on their clinical utility require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate spinal surgeons' attitudes towards the clinical application of 3D-printed anatomical models.
- To compare the perceived utility of 3D models against conventional imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter questionnaire survey was administered to 41 spine surgeons across three Hungarian centers.
- Surgeons assessed the utility of conventional imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI) and 3D printed models for various clinical scenarios, yielding 1,476 data points.
Main Results:
- 3D printed models received significantly higher utility ratings (median 10) compared to traditional imaging (median 8).
- The greatest benefits were noted in patient education (median 10 vs. 7) and surgical planning (median 9 vs. 8).
- 3D models showed superior performance in complex congenital scoliosis with metal artifacts (median 10 vs. 7), but not in degenerative lumbar pathology (median 9 vs. 9).
Conclusions:
- Hungarian spine surgeons consider 3D printed anatomical models more beneficial than traditional imaging, especially for patient education and complex surgical planning.
- The perceived value of 3D models is primarily influenced by surgical case complexity, independent of surgeon demographics or prior exposure to the technology.
