Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has recently gained importance in the medical industry, especially in surgical specialties. It uses different techniques and materials based on patients’ needs, which allows bioprofessionals to design and develop unique pieces using medical imaging provided by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, the Department of Biology and Medicine and the Department of Physics and Engineering, at the Bioastronautics and Space Mechatronics Research Group, have managed and supervised an international cooperation study, in order to present a general review of the innovative surgical applications, focused on anatomical systems, such as the nervous and craniofacial system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, genitourinary system, and musculoskeletal system. Finally, the integration with augmented, mixed, virtual reality is analyzed to show the advantages of personalized treatments, taking into account the improvements for preoperative, intraoperative planning, and medical training. Also, this article explores the creation of devices and tools for space surgery to get better outcomes under changing gravity conditions.

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ObjectiveTo validate the Martini nomogram predicting the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy.MethodsEstimated glomerular filtration rate of 406 patients from a single surgeon series was calculated before robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy and at postoperative intervals. To determine the risk group, we calculated the total score and corresponding risk of significant estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction at 15 months using the Martini nomogram. The primary outcome was a reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≥25% from preoperative levels between 1 and 12 months after surgery.ResultsThe median length of follow up for this study was 12 months (interquartile range 6–12 months). Overall, 134 (33%) patients were in the low‐, 143 (35%) in the intermediate‐, 119 (29%) in the high‐ and 10 (2%) in the very high‐risk groups. The Kaplan–Meier estimates for the probability of significant estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction by 12 months after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy was 12.9% in the low‐risk group, 24.0% in the intermediate‐risk group, 49.7% in the high‐risk group and 40.0% in the very high‐risk group. Harrell’s C‐index for discriminating between those with and without a significant reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate 1–12 months after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy was 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.68–0.78).ConclusionsThe risk groups proposed by the Martini nomogram are accurate in predicting those at higher risk for a >25% decline in postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy at 12 months.

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Objective: To assess the impact of cessation of screening urine cultures on surgical site infection (SSI) incidence in clinical practice.Patients and Methods: Our study included patients undergoing hip replacement, knee replacement, spinal fusion, and laminectomy 12 months before (preintervention) and after (postintervention) cessation of preoperative screening urine cultures on June 1, 2017, at our institution. Urine cultures and urinalyses performed within 30 days before surgery during the 12 months before and after cessation were reviewed. SSI surveillance was performed in accordance with the methods of the National Healthcare Safety Network. Results: A total of 2754 patients were included (1286 preintervention and 1468 postintervention). In the preintervention period, 1141 urine cultures were performed, compared to 153 in the postintervention period; 35 and 6 episodes of asymptomatic bacteriuria were treated, respectively. The occurrence of SSI did not differ noticeably between time periods (1.2% vs 0.7%, P¼.24), and quarterly incidences of SSI were unchanged. The rate of SSI was significantly lower in the postintervention period for laminectomy (3.0% vs 0.3%, P¼.02). Conclusion: An 86.6% (153 vs 1141) reduction in screening urine cultures over a 12-month period was associated with a reduction of 988 unnecessary urine cultures, an 82.8% (6 vs 35) decline in inappropriate antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria, and no increase in SSI incidence after hip replacement, knee replacement, spinal fusion, or laminectomy procedures. No value of screening urine cultures before clean surgery was identified.