ArticleAnnals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England2023
The perioperative utility of 3D printed models in complex surgical care: feedback from 106 cases.
Article in Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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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.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- How is 3D modeling in metabolic surgery utilized and what is its clinical benefit: a systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of surgery (London, England) · 2025Pooled it
- Patient-specific 3D-printed perforator mapping guide for propeller flap reconstruction in the hand.Journal of hand and microsurgery · 2026Article
- Three-Dimensional Bronchovascular Modelling in Sublobar Pulmonary Resection: A Tool for Personalised Thoracic Surgery.Journal of personalized medicine · 2026Review
- The Impact of 3D Printed Spine Models on Surgical Planning for Vertebral Column Resection: A Descriptive Case Series.Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America · 2026Article
- Innovation Editorial.Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introduction3D models are an emerging tool for surgical planning, providing an augmented method for the visualisation of a patient's anatomy. As their use increases, more data about the utility of these models is critical to inform budget allocation. This study provides the most comprehensive analysis to date for the use of 3D models in perioperative management.
methods3D models for complex surgical cases in NHS hospitals were delivered alongside a surgeon feedback survey. The survey on the model's utility had been designed alongside the university data analytical team and focused on five areas: surgical planning and diagnosis, economic impact, impact on intraoperative and preoperative time, effect on communication and direct impact on the patient.
resultsThere were 106 models used by 63 surgeons for complex surgical cases between May 2020 and March 2021, across multiple surgical specialties. The models were reported to have benefits in all perioperative areas, with 92.5% of responses agreeing that the 3D model was a better method for diagnosis and planning than traditional 2D techniques. Benefits were reported on preoperative planning (92.4%), economic savings due to equipment selection (54.4%), reduction in surgical time (41.5%) and surgeon-to-surgeon communication (92.6%).
conclusion3D models were shown to have a wide range of benefits in a surgical setting. The reduction in surgical time could have the potential to help alleviate surgical backlogs. With more widespread use and optimisation of costs the use of 3D models could become the standard for unusual and complex surgical cases.
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