3D Printing in Otolaryngology Surgery: Descriptive Review of Literature to Define the State of the Art

Abstract

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has allowed great progression in the medical field. In otolaryngology practice, 3D printing can be used for planning in case of malformation/complex surgery, for surgeon training, and for recreating missing tissues. This systematic review aimed to summarize the current benefits and the possible future application of 3D technologies in the otolaryngology field. Methods: A systematic review of articles that discuss the use of 3D printing in the otolaryngology field was performed. All publications without the restriction of time and that were published by December 2021 in the English language were included. Searches were performed in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases. Keywords used were: “3D printing”, “bioprinting”, “three-dimensional printing”, “tissue engineering” in combination with the terms: “head and neck surgery”, “head and neck reconstruction”, “otology”, “rhinology”, “laryngology”, and “otolaryngology”. Results: Ninety-one articles were included in this systematic review. The articles describe the clinical application of 3D printing in different fields of otolaryngology, from otology to pediatric otolaryngology. The main uses of 3D printing technology discussed in the articles included in the review were surgical planning in temporal bone malformation, the reconstruction of missing body parts after oncologic surgery, allowing for medical training, and providing better information to patients. Conclusion: The use of 3D printing in otolaryngology practice is constantly growing. However, available evidence is still limited, and further studies are needed to better evaluate the benefits of this technology.

Trends in Preoperative Airway Assessment

“…An evaluation of the airway using fiberoptic laryngoscopy, CT, and MRI has brought about consistent improvements in determining the management of difficult airway cases. However, new developments in 3D reconstructions—such as volume rendering, virtual reality, augmented reality, cinematic rendering, 3D modeling, and 3D printing—are being used more and more to plan complex cases, offering fresh perspectives on difficult-to-operate head and neck tumors [ 110 ].…”

Surgical Medical Education via 3D Bioprinting: Modular System for Endovascular Training

“…Starting from magnetic resonance imaging or computer tomography, it is possible to achieve a 3D digital anatomical model and fabricate the final device, aiming to support better surgical planning and tissue regeneration [26][27][28]. The first approach is already used in different fields of surgery, such as cardiovascular [29], thoracic [30], facial plastic and reconstructive [31], eye care [32], otolaryngology [33], cranio-maxillofacial [34], cranial neurosurgery [35], spinal [36], and orthopaedic surgery [37] and has demonstrated the potential to reduce errors and costs. Hence, in the healthcare context, it is mandatory to evaluate AM families, select the technologies/materials able to reproduce the required medical device, and meet all of the governance requirements [38].…”

The Creation of an Average 3D Model of the Human Cartilaginous Nasal Septum and Its Biomimetic Applications

“…Several training models have been developed with 3DP within the field of head and neck surgery, including temporal bone and larynx models which were used to replicate surgical dissections [7,9,16]. Similarly, AlReefi et al developed a septoplasty training model, which was rated to be highly accurate by a cohort of rhinologists.…”

“…While 3DP's original application was in manufacturing, a wide variety of biocompatible materials are now available that enable the control of the macro-and microstructure of physical models, implants, and prostheses [8]. Thus, 3DP has found a natural home in medicine and has been increasingly used across several fields, including otolaryngology, maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and cardiac surgery [9]. While the initial investment in the technology and technical skills required for 3DP is high, the cost is likely offset by decreased surgical times and decreased reliance on outside manufacturers [7].…”