[Research progress of three-dimensional printing technique in joint surgery].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the application status of three-dimensional (3-D) printing technique in joint surgery and look forward to the future research directions.


METHODS
The recent original articles about the application and research of 3-D printing technique in joint surgery were extensively reviewed and analyzed.


RESULTS
In clinical applications, 3-D printing technique can provide "tailored" treatment and custom implants for patients, which helps doctors to perform the complex operations easier and more safely; in fundamental research, tissue engineered scaffolds with desirable external shape and internal organization are easily fabricated with 3-D printing technique, which can meet the demand of cell adherence and proliferation. Even more, cells may be deposited with the biomaterials during the printing.


CONCLUSIONS
With the development of medical imaging, digital medicine and new materials, 3-D printing technique will have a wider range of applications in joint surgery.
Fuyou
F
Wang
Xiang
X
Ren
Liu
L
Yang
D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011327:Printing / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry
D001672:Biocompatible Materials