Three‐Dimensional Printing and Its Applications in Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Abstract

Objective: Three-dimensional printing technology is being employed in a variety of medical and surgical specialties to improve patient care and advance resident physician training. As the costs of implementing three-dimensional printing have declined, the use of this technology has expanded, especially within surgical specialties. This article explores the types of threedimensional printing available, highlights the benefits and drawbacks of each methodology, provides examples of how three-dimensional printing has been applied within the field of otolaryngology -head and neck surgery, discusses future innovations, and explores the financial impact of these advances.Data Sources: Articles were identified from PubMed and Ovid Medline.Review Methods: PubMed and Ovid Medline were queried for English articles published between 2011and 2016, including a few articles prior to this time as relevant examples. Search terms included: three-dimensional printing, 3D-printing, otolaryngology, additive manufacturing, craniofacial, reconstruction, temporal bone, airway, sinus, cost, and anatomic models.Conclusions: Three-dimensional printing has been used in recent years in otolaryngology for preoperative planning, education, prostheses, grafting, and reconstruction. Emerging technologies include the printing of tissue scaffolds for the auricle and nose, more realistic training models, and personalized implantable medical devices. Implications for Practice:After accounting for the upfront costs of three-dimensional printing, its utilization in surgical models, patient-specific implants, and custom instruments can reduce operating room time and thus decrease costs. Educational and training models provide an opportunity to better visualize anomalies, practice surgical technique, predict problems that might arise, and improve quality by reducing mistakes.3

Utility of three-dimensional models in resident education on simple and complex intracardiac congenital heart defects

“…Three‐dimensional (3D) printing is a process in which layers of material are successively laid down to generate complex structures, which allows for the creation of relatively inexpensive prototypes . Using imaging data from modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3D printing has been used in the medical field to further advancements in prosthetics, undertake perioperative planning of complicated procedures, and facilitate clinical education . Given the complex nature of congenital heart defects (CHD), 3D printing has been increasingly used in this field for anatomic modeling and procedural planning .…”

“…1 Using imaging data from modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3D printing has been used in the medical field to further advancements in prosthetics, undertake perioperative planning of complicated procedures, and facilitate clinical education. [2][3][4][5][6] Given the complex nature of congenital heart defects (CHD), 3D printing has been increasingly used in this field for anatomic modeling and procedural planning. 7 We have previously reported the utility of 3D printed models in modeling vascular rings and pulmonary slings for resident education.…”

Three‐dimensional printing of a low‐cost, high‐fidelity laryngeal dissection station

“…Three‐dimensional printing is being used in an increasing number of clinical and educational applications given its ability to create complex architecture in a rapid, reproducible fashion at reasonably low costs. Within otolaryngology, recent applications include scaffolds for microtia repair, nasal reconstruction, and tracheal grafts, as well as construction of sinus surgery simulators …”

“…Within otolaryngology, recent applications include scaffolds for microtia repair, nasal reconstruction, and tracheal grafts, as well as construction of sinus surgery simulators. 11,12…”

Improving patient outcomes with regenerative medicine: How the Regenerative Medicine Manufacturing Society plans to move the needle forward in cell manufacturing, standards, 3D bioprinting, artificial intelligence-enabled automation, education, and training

“…3D bioprinting is a platform technology for advancing regenerative medicine manufacturing. 3D bioprinting is envisioned to fabricate multifunctional drug-delivery systems, 16 scaffolds, 17 prosthetics (eg, dental and orthopedic), 18 organoids, 19 tissues, and organs. 20 The use of this technology has grown tremendously in the past 5 years, especially as the cost of devices dropped dramatically, paving the way for more widespread use.…”