Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
07:30
3D Printing Model of a Patient's Specific Lumbar Vertebra
Published on: April 14, 2023
Preoperative Planning With Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Anatomical Models in Non-Traumatic Spinal Deformity Surgery:
Victor Roman-Lazarte1,2, Peggy Martinez-Esteban1, Milagros Sotelo-Muñoz3
1Sub Unidad de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica, Instituto Nacional de Salud Del Niño San Borja, Lima, Peru.
Surgical Innovation
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Patient-specific 3D-printed models may reduce operative time and blood loss in spinal deformity surgery. However, current evidence is limited and of low quality, requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Patient-specific 3D-printed anatomical models are gaining traction for preoperative planning in spinal deformity surgery.
- Their potential to enhance intraoperative efficiency is recognized, yet robust evidence is scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if patient-specific 3D-printed anatomical models improve surgical outcomes in non-traumatic spinal deformity surgery compared to conventional planning.
- To assess impacts on operative time, blood loss, fluoroscopy time, and complications.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines was performed.
- Included were comparative studies on 3D model-assisted preoperative planning for non-traumatic spinal deformities.
- Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I.
Main Results:
- Six studies with 344 patients were analyzed.
- Two studies indicated significant reductions in operative time (e.g., 184.3 vs 212.3 min) and blood loss (e.g., 846.7 vs 1029.7 mL) with 3D models.
- Postoperative complications appeared less frequent in the 3D model group.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative planning with patient-specific 3D-printed models shows potential for improving operative time and reducing blood loss in spinal deformity surgery.
- The current evidence base is methodologically weak, with most studies at serious or critical risk of bias.
- Long-term functional outcomes remain unevaluated.
