3D Printing With Low-Cost and Recycled Medical-Grade Plastics: A Narrative Review of a Sustainable Pathway for...

3D printing enables rapid prototyping and the customized production of functional medical devices. In neurosurgery, where precise anatomical representation is essential, 3D printing is widely utilized to fabricate patient-specific implants, surgical guides, and anatomical models for preoperative planning and training purposes. Medical 3D printing predominantly utilizes polymer-based materials. The advances in polymer science have established biomaterials as essential components in healthcare applications. Healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are burdened by financial limitations, rendering the acquisition of expensive, imported medical-grade filaments and biomaterials a significant concern. This narrative review focuses on the use of low-cost and recycled biomaterials and 3D printing in neurosurgery, particularly in LMICs. Additive manufacturing (AM) not only reduces waste concerns but also helps in designing refined products. Keeping the tensile strength, durability, and elastic modulus the same, the integration of low-cost and recycled medical-grade plastics and polymer-based biomaterials offers a practical approach to overcoming these barriers by improving affordability, accessibility, and local manufacturing capacity. 3D printing offers the potential for sustainable innovation in healthcare by utilizing locally available and recycled materials, aligning with cost-effective and environmentally conscious practices.