3D Printing – an avenue for accessible innovation in urology

3D printing is a novel manufacturing technique that allows surgeons to turn their ideas into reality within the healthcare environment. While surgeons are accustomed to assuming a position of leadership where frontier technologies intersect with patient care, barriers to the uptake of 3D printing include lack of expertise among surgeons, and the perceived cost and inaccessibility of the technology. This special report highlights the ease and cost–effectiveness of this new technology with a uro-oncological lens. We highlight the example of a 3D printed flexible urostomy trainer developed to educate patients on stoma care prior to ileal conduit surgery, which was 3D printed in our hospital for £0.15 within an hour of conception by our urology department.