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.
Key-words:
Cranioplasty - craniovertebral junction - customized - neurosurgery
