Role of innovative 3D printing models in the management of hepatobiliary malignancies

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has recently emerged as a new technique in various liver-related surgical fields. There are currently only a few systematicreviews that summarize the evidence of its impact. In order to construct asystematic literature review of the applications and effects of 3D printing in liversurgery, we searched the PubMed, Embase and ScienceDirect databases forrelevant titles, according to the PRISMA statement guidelines. We retrieved 162titles, of which 32 met the inclusion criteria and are reported. The leadingapplication of 3D printing in liver surgery is for preoperative planning. 3Dprinting techniques seem to be beneficial for preoperative planning andeducational tools, despite their cost and time requirements, but this conclusionmust be confirmed by additional randomized controlled trials