Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27769304›Full record

SynthesisBiomedical engineering online2016

3D-printing techniques in a medical setting: a systematic literature review.

Philip Tack, Jan Victor, Paul Gemmel, Lieven Annemans

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Biomedical engineering online, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 427 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
427citing papers in PubMed, 9 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

427 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  3. Clinical applications of 3D printing in spine surgery: a systematic review.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2025
    Pooled it
  4. 3D printing in palliative medicine: systematic review.BMJ supportive & palliative care · 2024
    Pooled it
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  9. Does 3D-assisted surgery of tibial plateau fractures improve surgical and patient outcome? A systematic review of 1074 patients.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2022
    Pooled it
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  19. Three-Dimensional Printing in Pediatric Orthopaedics: Cost Analysis and Emerging Applications.Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America · 2026
    Review
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367 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Philip TackDepartment of Public Health, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. Philip.Tack@Ugent.be.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5333-2784
Jan VictorGhent University Hospital, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Paul GemmelDepartement of Economics & Business Administration, Ghent University, Tweekerkenstraat 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Lieven AnnemansDepartment of Public Health, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThree-dimensional (3D) printing has numerous applications and has gained much interest in the medical world. The constantly improving quality of 3D-printing applications has contributed to their increased use on patients. This paper summarizes the literature on surgical 3D-printing applications used on patients, with a focus on reported clinical and economic outcomes.

methodsThree major literature databases were screened for case series (more than three cases described in the same study) and trials of surgical applications of 3D printing in humans.

results227 surgical papers were analyzed and summarized using an evidence table. The papers described the use of 3D printing for surgical guides, anatomical models, and custom implants. 3D printing is used in multiple surgical domains, such as orthopedics, maxillofacial surgery, cranial surgery, and spinal surgery. In general, the advantages of 3D-printed parts are said to include reduced surgical time, improved medical outcome, and decreased radiation exposure. The costs of printing and additional scans generally increase the overall cost of the procedure.

conclusion3D printing is well integrated in surgical practice and research. Applications vary from anatomical models mainly intended for surgical planning to surgical guides and implants. Our research suggests that there are several advantages to 3D-printed applications, but that further research is needed to determine whether the increased intervention costs can be balanced with the observable advantages of this new technology. There is a need for a formal cost-effectiveness analysis.

Indexed as

Printing, Three-DimensionalHumansModels, AnatomicProstheses and ImplantsSurgical Procedures, Operative3D printingAdditive manufacturingAnatomic modelCustomizedInnovationPatient specificReviewSurgery

Identifiers

PMID27769304
PMCPMC5073919

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.