3D Printing Applications and Extended Realities in Medicine: Systematic Review

This study aims to systematically review the integration and clinical applications of 3D printing and extended reality technologies in medicine. This offers an in-depth review of technological advances and their application in different areas of medicine such as surgical planning, medical staff training, new ways of visualization, as well as the integration of tailor-made physical and digital elements. Factors that benefit patient safety and promote innovation through technological intervention. The study conducted a systematic review of the literature using the PRISMA methodology, with a selection of studies published between 2005 and 2023. The process included a comprehensive search in academic databases from which articles were extracted that included topics on 3D printing technologies, extended realities, and applied cases in which efficacy and application in clinical settings were proven. As a result, specific inclusion and exclusion filters were established to ensure relevance to the study's objective. The selected items were subjected to a detailed analysis, based on which the methodologies used, types of studies, areas of impact, population, and clinical impacts were evaluated. The synthesis of the results was carried out using the quantitative and qualitative approaches. This enabled a comprehensive understanding of current trends and potential future applications of these technologies in the field of medicine. The results indicate that the adoption of 3D printing and technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) facilitates more precise and less invasive interventions. It also improves understanding of complex conditions and pathologies through enhanced and enriched interactions and visualizations. In addition, technologies are consolidated as tools for medical strengthening and training through more realistic simulations. Studies show that by having better understanding, visualization, and interaction with components and technologies, there is a reduction in surgical errors and optimized duration times in the surgeon and patient recovery; finally, the use of these technologies also improves the retention of information in training and education contexts. Furthermore, the study reveals that, although the associated costs may be considerable, the gains in accuracy and operational efficiency justify the investment. Among the challenges posed by the use and integration of 3D printing and augmented or MR is the need to further improve the accurate calibration of the 3D images with physical models, which turns out to be a key aspect for the success of these applications in the clinical context. Implementation of technologies such as 3D printing, AR, MR, and virtual reality in clinical practice has been shown to have great benefits in efficiency and safety in surgical procedures. These technologies profile themselves as solutions that promise to revolutionize approaches to learning, surgical planning, and surgery. This offers customization and accuracy features, significantly reducing error margins. Furthermore, medical training is enriched by more realistic simulations and detailed visualizations. However, the construction of innovative tools that consolidate the characteristics of these technologies requires continuous improvement and investment in training, development, and appropriate infrastructure to overcome the challenges associated with the integration of such technologies into clinical practice. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current applications and the transformative impacts of 3D printing technologies and extended realities in medicine. Unlike previous revisions, this study carries out a quantitative analysis of its benefits, supported by recent case studies and statistical data. This leads to valuable insights on future directions of medical technology integration.