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Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has become more frequently used in surgical specialties in recent years. These uses include pre-operative planning, patient-specific instrumentation (PSI), and patient-specific implant production.
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The purpose of this review was to understand the current uses of 3DP in orthopaedic surgery, the geographical and temporal trends of its use, and its impact on peri-operative outcomes
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One-hundred and eight studies (N = 2328) were included, published between 2012 and 2018, with over half based in China.
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The most commonly used material was titanium.
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Three-dimensional printing was most commonly reported in trauma (N = 41) and oncology (N = 22). Pre-operative planning was the most common use of 3DP (N = 63), followed by final implants (N = 32) and PSI (N = 22).
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Take-home message: Overall, 3DP is becoming more common in orthopaedic surgery, with wide range of uses, particularly in complex cases. 3DP may also confer some important peri-operative benefits.
Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:430-441. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190024
