Deploying 3D-printed, anatomical patient models and surgical guides has the potential to dramatically drop both time spent in the operating room and healthcare costs. That’s according to a new study published last week in American Radiology.

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Based on a review of several past analyses, researchers estimate that such anatomical models could save more than $3,700 per case by reducing time spent in the OR, and surgical guides could save nearly $1,500.

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“Medical 3D printing appears to reduce operating room costs secondary to shortening procedure times,” wrote David H. Ballard, MD, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and colleagues. “While resource-intensive, 3D-printed constructs used in patients’ operative care provide considerable downstream value to health systems.” Authors reached their conclusions by analyzing more than 30 different studies related to 3D models used in orthopedic and maxillofacial surgery. Based on that review, they estimate […]

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