9, 17, 18Īlthough benefits of craniofacial 3D models are apparent, high cost and long turnaround time prohibit an expanded use of industry-printed (IP) models. 10– 16 In contrast, there is very little description of using contour models for treating acute traumatic midfacial fractures. 9, 10 The use of 3D custom-printed models to guide reconstruction of facial defects is gaining popularity, particularly for secondary defects related to tumor extirpation and complex trauma.

In cases of unilateral facial trauma, many of these models are produced from a mirror image of the unaffected contralateral skull.

To address this variability, 3D printing technology allows for production of patient-specific 3D surgical models that can be used for precise contouring of hardware such as titanium plates to be used intraoperatively. 5 Furthermore, anatomical variances between patients necessitates patient-specific reconstructive approaches to optimize outcomes. Defects in the craniofacial region are inherently difficult to treat because of the complex relationship of varied tissue types (bone, cartilage, muscle, and skin) and structures (auricle, orbit, nose, and oral cavity). 2, 4– 8Ĭraniofacial defects can result in functional limitations, such as the ability to properly speak, chew food, breathe, and see clearly. These include improved patient education and medical training, more effective preoperative planning, and improved surgical confidence, the net effect of which are better clinical outcomes with decreased intraoperative complications and operating room (OR) time. Several benefits of using 3D printed materials within medicine have been described in the literature. 2, 3 This technology has been applied to numerous medical specialties, including orthopedics, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. 1 Technological advances have expanded the utility of 3D printing to the realms of biology and medicine, as evidenced by a rapid increase in the number of publications in recent years involving medical applications of 3D printing. Since its invention in the 1980s, 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping, has been an indispensable tool in manufacturing items, ranging from clothes and furniture to houses and aircrafts.

3d print stl files of evolution skulls