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. 2021 Sep 14;16(3):531-538.
doi: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_475_20. eCollection 2021 Jul-Sep.

Role of Three-dimensional Printing in Neurosurgery: An Institutional Experience

Ankit Chaudhary  1 , Sanjeev Chopra  1 , Virendra Deo Sinha  1
Affiliations

Role of Three-dimensional Printing in Neurosurgery: An Institutional Experience

Ankit Chaudhary et al. Asian J Neurosurg. .

Abstract

Background: Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in the field of neurosurgery have given a newer modality of management for patients. In this article, we intend to share our institutional experience regarding the use of 3D printing in three modalities, namely, cranioplasty using customized 3D-printed molds of polymethylmethacrylate, 3D-printed model-assisted management of craniovertebral (CV) junction abnormalities, and 3D model-assisted management of brain tumors.

Materials and methods: A total of 55 patients were included in our study between March 2017 and December 2019 at S. M. S Medical College, Jaipur, India. 3D-printed models were prepared for cranioplasty in 30 cases, CV junction anomalies in 18 cases, and brain tumors in 7 cases. Preoperative and postoperative data were analyzed as per the diagnosis.

Results: In cranioplasty, cranial contour and approximation of the margins were excellent and esthetic appearance improved in all patients. In CV junction anomalies, neck pain and myelopathy were improved in all patients, as analyzed using the visual analog scale and the Japanese Orthopedic Association Scale score, respectively. Our questionnaire survey revealed that 3D models for brain tumors were useful in understanding space interval and depth intraoperatively with added advantage of patient education.

Conclusion: Rapid prototyping 3D-printing technologies provide a practical and anatomically accurate means to produce patient-specific and disease-specific models. These models allow for surgical planning, training, simulation, and devices for the assessment and treatment of neurosurgical disease. Expansion of this technology in neurosurgery will serve practitioners, trainees, and patients.

Keywords: Cranioplasty; craniovertebral junction; customized; neurosurgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Three-dimensional CT reconstructed image of a 26-year-old male patient with left FTP craniectomy defect
Figure 2
Figure 2
PMMA resin even spread over inner half of the mold. (a) PMMA implant shown in the center with the inner and outer half of the mold. (b) PMMA customized prosthesis assembled over cranial defect printout to ensure exact margin apposition. (c) Placement of PMMA customized prosthesis over the cranial defect Intraoperatively (d)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Basiocciput with cv junction along with subaxial cervical vertebrae (a) A three-dimensional-printed model of a patient with occipitalized atlas. (b) Lateral view of the model. (c) Practice using the model. (d) Model with occiput–C2 screws.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) Three-dimensional model of recurrent suprasellar tumor (b) Three-dimensional model of planum sphenoid meningioma
Figure 5
Figure 5
The first row showing preoperative images of a patient with left FTP craniectomy defect. The second row showing corresponding postoperative images with excellent restoration of margins and cranial contour
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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