• Patrick Pearce, James Novak, Akila Wijesekera, Thorbjorn Loch-Wilkinson, Michael Redmond, Craig Winter, Hamish Alexander, and Liam Maclachlan.
• Kenneth G Jamieson Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: Patrick.Pearce@health.qld.gov.au.
• World Neurosurg. 2023 Jan 1; 169: 577257-72.

ObjectiveSpine surgery addresses a wide range of spinal pathologies. Potential applications of 3-dimensional (3D) printed in spine surgery are broad, encompassing education, planning, and simulation. The objective of this study was to explore how 3D-printed spine models are implemented in spine surgery and their clinical applications.MethodsMethods were combined to create a scoping review with meta-analyses. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched from 2011 to 7 September 2021. Results were screened independently by 2 reviewers. Studies utilizing 3D-printed spine models in spine surgery were included. Articles describing drill guides, implants, or nonoriginal research were excluded. Data were extracted according to reporting guidelines in relation to study information, use of model, 3D printer and printing material, design features of the model, and clinical use/patient-related outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models.ResultsForty articles were included in the review, 3 of which were included in the meta-analysis. Primary use of the spine models included preoperative planning, education, and simulation. Six printing technologies were utilized. A range of substrates were used to recreate the spine and regional pathology. Models used for preoperative and intraoperative planning showed reductions in key surgical performance indicators. Generally, feedback for the tactility, utility, and education use of models was favorable.ConclusionsReplicating realistic spine models for operative planning, education, and training is invaluable in a subspeciality where mistakes can have devastating repercussions. Future study should evaluate the cost-effectiveness and the impact spine models have of spine surgery outcomes.Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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