ABSTRACT

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a defining component of the medical research and manufacturing industry in the past 10 years. The main applications of 3D printing in medicine are the development of educational and simulation models, patient-specific surgical guides and implants, and rapid prototyping of medical devices and biofabrication. 3D printing for preoperative planning in orthopedic, maxillofacial, spinal, cardiac, and oncologic surgery is currently the most prominent topic in published literature. At the same time, the models acquired via medical imaging may be used for 3D print custom implants tailored to patient’s needs. Yet, the most promising field where 3D printing is being used in medicine is biofabrication of cell and tissue constructs, and this technology will possibly change the whole approach both to organ transplantation and drug research in the near future. 3D printing is expected to have a huge impact on the future of medicine. Current hype emerging from simple curiosity is steadily transitioning to a more structured approach through unbiased scientific research.