The roots of 3D printing trace back to the 1980s when the first additive manufacturing processes were conceptualized by Charles Hull. Over the decades, materials, software, and hardware advancements have propelled 3D printing into the forefront of modern manufacturing. 3D printing is a process by which 3D dimensional models are created by layering material in successive layers using materials such as polymers, metals, ceramic, wax and even living cells from computer-aided design models. 3D printers are utilized to produce an assortment? of medical devices, inclusive/including or inclusive of orthopedic and cranial implants, Bioelectronics, 3D printing aided mandibular and maxillofacial reconstruction, TMJ prosthesis, surgical instruments, dental implants, 3D printed bone scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering, and external prosthetics.

3D printing manufacturing incorporates the 5R concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, and Rethink). It can help engineers and designers quickly and cheaply create optimized designs by implementing design guidelines which is impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. It promotes efficient and sustainable practices by enabling customization and on-demand production reducing the inventory and transportation costs. Through additive manufacturing, materials can be recycled and reused through print farm management or production setting. Medical applications for 3DP are expanding rapidly and revolutionizing diagnostic and interventional medicine. Bio-printing could transform healthcare by enabling the production of replacement organs and tissues.

1. Orthopedics

3D printing has provided orthopedic surgeons with a new technology that has the potential to revolutionize preoperative planning, surgical instrument development, and custom orthopedic implant creation for precision medicine and personalized treatments. The availability of highly affordable and advanced prosthetics such as artificial hands with mechanical components, limb replacement hip joint prostheses, etc. have shown successful outcomes and complex anatomical models for a better understanding of pathology and fracture patterns.

2. Neurosurgery

3D printing enables neurosurgeons to visualize intricate, minute anatomical structures noninvasively for both diagnosis and surgical treatment. The incorporation/use of patient-specific anatomical models and surgical guides in neurosurgery for surgical planning, surgical guides, devices for the assessment and treatment of neurosurgical disease, and the development of biological tissue-engineered implants.

3. Maxillofacial surgery

Maxillofacial surgeons utilize 3D-printed models to plan complex reconstructive surgery, ensuring optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction. Maxillofacial region reconstructions which require a lot of planning, precision, and multiple surgeries. Implementing 3D Planning tools indicates uniform long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes, thereby improving facial symmetry and function.

Surgical treatment for scoliosis is typically recommended in cases where the curvature of the spine is severe, progressive, or causing significant symptoms that cannot be adequately managed with non-surgical interventions. However, surgical complications like proximity of vital structures, neurological injury, or wound infection increase the difficulty for the surgeons. 3D Printed models can be a suitable alternative for the reduction of the risk associated with surgeries based on visual inspection. The 3D-printed anatomical models have revolutionized the surgical planning and intraoperative decision-making for surgeons in spinal surgery. Significant studies demonstrate that medical models help in preoperative surgical planning like the selection of the optimal procedure and clinical decisions made by the surgeons and it further allows detailed visualization and analysis of the spinal deformity(the sentence is getting long!). Medical models facilitate a thorough assessment of the spinal deformity, allowing surgeons to analyze the extent and nature of the curvature with precision. These models serve as valuable aids in developing personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual patient's anatomy and condition. Surgeons can utilize the models to simulate various surgical approaches, evaluate potential outcomes, and determine the most optimal strategies for correction. During intraoperative planning, medical models continue to play a critical role in guiding surgical procedures. Surgeons can reference the 3D-printed models in real time to navigate the complex anatomy of the spine with enhanced accuracy and confidence. The models serve as invaluable references for instrument placement like pedicle screw

Moreover, medical models offer a safe and realistic platform for residents to practice surgical procedures, such as suturing, incisions, and organ manipulation, without the risk associated with live patients. Additionally, the use of cost-effective models for procedural training demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of such models in resident training. Furthermore, medical models facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork among residents, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Through simulated scenarios and case-based learning, residents learn to effectively communicate and coordinate, ultimately promoting a culture of continuous learning and professional development.