• Charlotte-Elise Broeckx, Thomas J J Maal, Rinaldo D Vreeken, Ruud R M Bos, and Mark Ter Laan.
• Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: charlotte-elise.broeckx@uzleuven.be.
• World Neurosurg. 2017 Dec 1; 108: 225-229.

ObjectiveSimultaneous tumor resection and cranial reconstruction can be a challenging task. Surgical navigation is an indispensable tool in making this single-step procedure possible. In this technical note, we describe a new technique for this procedure to ensure a precise resection and optimal fit of the implant in a patient with an intraosseous meningioma.MethodsWe generated a 3-dimensional (3D) model of the patient's skull based on a computed tomography scan and created a digital "resection line" object using 3D Studio Max 2016 software. Based on this object, the patient-specific implant was generated and printed with a 3D printer. Before surgery, the digital object was transferred to the neuronavigation system to enable a navigated resection of the lesion to ensure maximum precision. During surgery, the craniotomy was performed, and the custom-made implant was fitted in a single step.ResultsThe planned resection was achieved, and the implant could be fitted without need for further adjustments to the resection border.ConclusionsWe provide a simple technique to digitally define a planned resection site and create a custom-made implant using specialized software and 3D printing to enable single-step resection of a skull lesion and cranial reconstruction, thereby reducing surgical time and costs and ensuring a good cosmetic result.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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