Progress in the Application of 3D Printing Technology in Spine Surgery

We are in the midst of exciting advancements in new technologies and innovative research in precision medicine. Among these, 3D printing is one of the most frequently seen in clinical orthopaedic settings. This new technique has been adopted in a vast range of applications in spine surgery, such as producing anatomical models, surgical templates, preoperative plans, and spinal implants. Some studies on 3D printing technologies in spine surgery have reported the benefits of this emerging technology with more effective manufacturing, more visualisation for communication, and more precise navigation for screw insertion and osteotomy. In addition, in customised implant design and fabrication processes, 3D printing products with anatomical adaptions and complex porous microstructure show some attractive advantages in terms of fit and osteoinductivity. However, there are still some concerns about the safety and feasibility of the application of 3D printing technology in spine surgery. We review the literature on and share our experiences with the application of 3D printing from the beginning of collaborations between doctors and computer-aided design (CAD) designers to the final follow-up of clinical patients.