DIAGNOSIS & PREPARATORY SURGERY

Anatomical Models for Surgical Preparation

The individual variances and complexities of the human body make the use of 3D-printed models ideal for surgical preparation. Having a tangible model of a patient’s anatomy available for a physician to study or use to simulate surgery is preferable to relying solely on CBCT, MRI or CT scans, which aren’t as instructive since they are viewed in 3D; but on a flat screen.

3D-printed anatomical models can be particularly helpful to plastic,ent, orthopaedic, neuro and maxillofacial surgeons by providing a representation of some of the most complicated structures in the human body. The intricate, sometimes obscured relationships between nerves, vessels, cerebral structures and skull architecture can be difficult to interpret based solely on radiographic 2D images. Even a small error in navigating this complex anatomy can have potentially devastating consequences. A true size 3D model reflecting the relationship between a lesion and normal structures can be helpful in determining the safest surgical corridor and can also be useful to rehearse challenging cases.

Complex spinal deformities, lesions, temporomandibular joint, base of the skull can also be studied better through the use of a 3D model. These models are of immense value especially when an elective surgery such as an orthognathic surgery is planned. The surgeon is able to perform a mock surgery on the model as well as is aware of the exact dimensions of the hard tissue and knows where the osteotomy is to be performed, leaving nothing to chance.