====== 3D printing for spine surgery ======

[[Pedicle srew 3D printing]].

[[Spine surgery]] has the potential to benefit from the use of [[3D printing]] [[technology]] (additive manufacturing) particularly in cases of complex anatomical pathologies. Custom devices have the potential to reduce [[operative time]]s, reduce [[blood loss]], provide immediate [[stability]] and potentially improve [[fusion]] rates.

A 34-year-old male presented with 3-year history of bilateral L5 [[radiculopathy]] due to bilateral L5 pars defect, and L5/S1 [[Degenerative Disc Disease]] and severe [[foraminal stenosis]]. [[ALIF]] surgery was determined to be the most efficacious method for distraction of the [[disc space]] to increase the foraminal volume and stabilization of the motion segment. Surgical [[decompression]] and [[reconstruction]] was performed in combination with a 3D printed, custom interbody implant. Custom design features included; corrective angulation to restore lumbar lordosis, pre-planned screw holes in the 3D implant and device endplate interface geometry designed to shape-match with the patient's endplate anatomy.

The use of Patient Specific Implants has reduced operative time significantly, which may offset costs of increased time spent pre-planning the [[procedure]]. Surgical [[procedure]]s can be pre-planned using [[3D model]]s reconstructed from patient CT and/or MRI scans. Planning can be aided by 3D printed models of patient anatomy, which surgeons can use to train prior to performing complex [[procedure]]s. When considering implants and prostheses, the use of 3D printing allows a superior anatomical fit for the patient compared to generic devices, with the potential to improve [[restoration]] of none-pathological anatomy
((Mobbs RJ, Parr WC, Choy WJ, McEvoy A, Walsh WR, Phan K. Anterior Lumbar
Interbody Fusion (ALIF) using a personalised approach: Is custom the future of
implants for ALIF surgery? World Neurosurg. 2019 Jan 8. pii:
S1878-8750(19)30003-8. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.12.144. [Epub ahead of print]
PubMed PMID: 30633990.
)).