Three-Dimensional Printing in Urology: History, Current Applications, and Future Directions

Abstract To review the history, current applications, limitations, and future directions of three-dimensional (3D) printing within the field of urology. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process in which a 3D model is created using a computer-generated image. This technology is applied by companies to create and test new drugs, design and manufacture instrument prototypes, and create patient-specific models of organs for surgical teaching and planning. A literature review was performed within the Web of Science and PubMed databases from January 2008 to May 2018 using keyword phrases “3D printing” and “urology.” A total of 46 relevant publications were included.