Perioperative Benefits of a 3D Printed Spine Biomodel in the Setting of Congenital Scoliosis Surgery

Abstract

The spine community is continuously adding to its armamentarium of intraoperative techniques for visualization and instrumentation of the spine. Recently, three-dimensional printed spine models were introduced for use in preoperative planning, surgical simulation, and intraoperative guidance. We present a 14-year old African male with congenital kyphoscoliosis, small stature, an obvious gibbus deformity and coronal imbalance, who underwent a three-staged posterior surgical correction procedure, during which a 3D-printed spine biomodel was utilized for better appreciation of his complex spinal deformity patho-anatomy. During the first stage of the procedure, he developed diminished lower extremity motor strength bilaterally and bowel/bladder control, but, following his third stage procedure and with focused rehabilitation efforts, he has regained full control of his bowel and bladder function, and is able to ambulate and perform activities of daily living independently, albeit still requiring intermittent walking support with a single forearm crutch due to residual left leg weakness. The 3D spine biomodel functioned successfully as a valuable tool and surrogate anatomic blueprint for the surgeons, enabling adequate appreciation of the complex bony anatomy which could not be easily resolved on the conventionally available imaging modalities, intraoperative navigation or robotic platform. Theoretically, up to $2900 USD in savings, translated from the mean estimated time saved per procedure with the use 3D-printed spine models has been proposed in some studies. Therefore, 3D-printed spine models have utility in complex spinal deformity correction surgery.