title: The use of three-dimensional printing technology in orthopaedic surgery.
abstract: Three-dimensional (3-D) printing or additive manufacturing, an advanced technology that 3-D physical models are created, has been wildly applied in medical industries, including cardiothoracic surgery, cranio-maxillo-facial surgery and orthopaedic surgery. The physical models made by 3-D printing technology give surgeons a realistic impression of complex structures, allowing surgical planning and simulation before operations. In orthopaedic surgery, this technique is mainly applied in surgical planning especially revision and reconstructive surgeries, making patient-specific instruments or implants, and bone tissue engineering. This article reviews this technology and its application in orthopaedic surgery.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.|2 Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Orthopaedic Trauma, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.|3 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Tak Man
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Tak Wing
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.|3 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.|2 Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Orthopaedic Trauma, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.|3 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Chun Hoi
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.|2 Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Orthopaedic Trauma, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Kelvin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.|2 Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Orthopaedic Trauma, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.|3 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: To
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.|2 Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Orthopaedic Trauma, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.|3 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Frankie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D023822:Tissue Engineering
keywords: 3-D printing; additive manufacturing; patient-specific instruments and implants; surgical planning; tissue engineering