Additive Manufacturing for Presurgical and Postsurgical Planning: A State-of-the-Art Review

Innovations in the medical industry have greatly surged in the last few decades as novel techniques in surgery, along with sophisticated accessories, have been developed. This has assisted doctors and surgeons in precisely detecting and monitoring a disease, planning and practicing the future surgical steps to be taken, and conducting surgery, as well as mapping out the postsurgical protocols. Advancements in the domains of robot- and computer-assisted operations, invasive surgery and virtual reality around the world have facilitated surgeons in effectively preparing presurgical, surgical and postsurgical modus operandi under minimal visual circumstances. In recent years, the progression in additive manufacturing (AM) has paved the way in developing and formulating state-of-the-art presurgical and postsurgical planning among surgeons. Through AM, a representative 3D physical model may be developed that would then assist surgeons in visualizing, understanding and physically evaluating a body part without accessing the actual tissue. Thereby, these constructs are used to plan and rehearse virtual surgery prior to the actual one. Additionally, AM can also be used effectively in postsurgical rehabilitation. A 3D-printed model prototype may be employed in measuring the physical construction and dimensions of the patient's body part. This information can be used in accurately predicting the outcome of the surgery and evaluating the postsurgical changes that might take place. Another aspect of postsurgical planning is developing 3D prototypes and prosthetics through AM that can be used in varied medical fields, such as personalized maxillofacial and craniofacial prostheses, orthopedics, ceramics and polymeric scaffolds for implants; ocular prosthesis; and glass frames for facial deformities, among others. These devices may be used for postsurgical patient support and ergonomic comfort in addition to less manufacturing time taken by AM when compared with traditional fabrication methods. Needless to say, AM-made prototypes are paramount in providing effective support to the medical world in case of both pre- and postsurgical planning in terms of better accuracy and rehearsal for virtual surgery, shorter surgery duration, shorter fabrication time, better product quality and a host of customized range of products. Innovations in the medical industry have greatly surged in the last few decades as novel techniques in surgery, along with sophisticated accessories, have