Download a Research Summary on the Effects of 3D Printed Models

Download a research summary that was carried out by the medical school at University Hospital Southampton and eight HSCNI hospitals who came together to study the effects of 3D printed models in both preoperative planning and also the intraoperative phase. The study was based on 106 models used by 63 surgeons at the 8 hospitals between May 2020 and March 2021, representing cases in orthopaedic (57 models), cardiothoracic (36), maxillofacial (8), neurosurgical (4) and otorhinolaryngology (1) specialties.

The survey focused on 5 areas:

• surgical planning and diagnosis: By leveraging 3D printed models, surgeons gained invaluable insights into patient-specific anatomical structures, enabling enhanced surgical planning and precise diagnoses.

• economic impact: Initial findings indicate that by facilitating more accurate preoperative planning, these models have the potential to optimize resource utilization and potentially reduce overall healthcare costs.

• impact on intraoperative and preoperative time: Surgeons reported increased efficiency, reduced procedural complexities, and enhanced decision-making capabilities, thereby positively impacting patient care and surgical outcomes.

• effect on communication: The research report highlights the role of 3D printed models in fostering improved interdisciplinary collaboration and facilitating effective communication between surgeons, radiologists, and other healthcare providers

• direct impact on the patient: 3D printed models offer personalized visual aids, enabling surgeons to explain complex procedures to patients and their families more comprehensively.

Download the complete Research Summary and understand how 93% of surgeons found 3D printed models a better method for diagnosis and planning than using only 2D images.