What’s in an extra dimension? The value of 3-D imaging

Excerpt

Three-dimensional modeling in the preoperative period is commonly employed for surgical planning [1]. Several studies have assessed the clinical utility of this practice, reporting on objective outcome measures such as operating room time, blood loss and the accuracy of three-dimensional (3-D)-printed surgical guides [2]. Despite several specific use-cases and advantages being well-documented in the literature, enthusiasm for 3-D modeling on behalf of surgeons is not readily explained by these publishable objective measures of utility. …