The Role of 3D Printing in Treatment Planning of Spine and Sacral Tumors

Current update and trend of 3D printing in spinal surgery: A bibliometric analysis and review of literature

Incorporation of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology into the field of spinal surgery is on the rise. A bibliometric analysis of the current topic was carried out to elaborate the trend and to navigate future research. A Scopus database search was conducted with keywords related to 3D printing, spine, and surgery. The final 792 articles were extracted and further analyzed with VOSviewer 1.6.19 and Biblioshiny. The first published article was in 2002. A notable increase in articles in 2014 might be attributable to the availability of cheaper 3D printers which rose significantly on a global scale in 2011. China leads in terms of published research on 3D printing in spinal surgery, followed by the US, Australia, and India. The author's keyword co-occurrence analysis reveals 8 theme clusters, including preoperative and intraoperative measures, biomodelling, spinal neoplasms, biomechanics of 3D-printed materials, degenerative spinal diseases, minimally invasive surgery, and bioprinting. The top 15 of the most recently cited keywords are listed to provide future researchers to produce impactful articles. Two strategic diagrams of 2 periods (2002-2018 and 2018-2023) show the theme's evolution. We found 6 consistent themes in keyword co-occurrence analysis and the strategic diagram analysis, that are promising subjects for future research. Overall, this bibliographic study indicates the expanding importance of 3D printing in spinal surgery and suggests several critical themes and impactful keywords for future researchers.

The Integration of 3D Virtual Reality and 3D Printing Technology as Innovative Approaches to Preoperative Planning in Neuro-Oncology

Our study explores the integration of three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) and 3D printing in neurosurgical preoperative planning. Traditionally, surgeons relied on two-dimensional (2D) imaging for complex neuroanatomy analyses, requiring significant mental visualization. Fortunately, nowadays advanced technology enables the creation of detailed 3D models from patient scans, utilizing different software. Afterwards, these models can be experienced through VR systems, offering comprehensive preoperative rehearsal opportunities. Additionally, 3D models can be 3D printed for hands-on training, therefore enhancing surgical preparedness. This technological integration transforms the paradigm of neurosurgical planning, ensuring safer procedures.