Clinical Application of 3D-Printed Artificial Vertebral Body (3DP AVB): A Review

Abstract

Introduction: The choice of prosthesis for vertebral body reconstruction (VBR) remains a controversial issue due to the lack of a reliable solution. The subsidence rate of the most commonly used titanium mesh cages (TMC) ranges from 42.5% to 79.7%. This problem is primarily caused by the differences in the elastic modulus between the TMC and bone. This review aims to summarize the clinical and radiological outcomes of new 3D-printed artificial vertebral bodies (3DP AVB). Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar was conducted to extract relevant studies. After screening the titles and abstracts, a total of 50 articles were selected for full-text analysis. Results: Preliminary data suggest fewer implant-related complications with 3DP AVB. Most comparative studies indicate significantly lower subsidence rates, reduced operation times and decreased intraoperative blood loss. However, the scarcity of randomized clinical trials and the high variability of the results warrant caution. Conclusion: Most literature data show an advantage of 3DP AVB in terms of the operation time, intraoperative blood loss and subsidence rate. However, long manufacturing times, high costs and regulatory issues are this technology’s main drawbacks.