title: Current Applications and Future Perspectives of the Use of 3D Printing in Anatomical Training and Neurosurgery.
abstract: 3D printing is a form of rapid prototyping technology, which has led to innovative new applications in biomedicine. It facilitates the production of highly accurate three dimensional objects from substrate materials. The inherent accuracy and other properties of 3D printing have allowed it to have exciting applications in anatomy education and surgery, with the specialty of neurosurgery having benefited particularly well. This article presents the findings of a literature review of the Pubmed and Web of Science databases investigating the applications of 3D printing in anatomy and surgical education, and neurosurgery. A number of applications within these fields were found, with many significantly improving the quality of anatomy and surgical education, and the practice of neurosurgery. They also offered advantages over existing approaches and practices. It is envisaged that the number of useful applications will rise in the coming years, particularly as the costs of this technology decrease and its uptake rises.
authors.affiliation: ACT Health Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baskaran
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Štrkalj
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Štrkalj
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia; Cancer Division, Garvan Institute of Medical ResearchSydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Ieva
keywords: 3D printing; anatomy; computer aided design (CAD); education; neurosurgery; rapid prototyping; surgery