Table 7.
A brief summary of the 3D printed implants in spine applications.
| Clinic cases | Prosthesis Type | Material | Printing techniques | Outcome | Country/year | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2 ES, staged as IIB according to the Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini classification, with no metastasis | 3D printed self-stabilizing artificial vertebral body (SSAVB) | Titanium alloy | EBM | Implant osseointegration 1 year after surgery, no subsidence or displacement of the construct, no local recurrence of the tumor. Improved neurological function. | China/2016 | [222] |
| T9 pseudo-myogenic-hemangioendothelioma, and extension into the paravertebral region and ribs | The custom 3D printed vertebra cage prosthesis with fixation holes for pedicle screws | Titanium | / | Patient returned to full schooling 3 month after surgery, paracetamol was required for release pain, the patient can return to netball and school sports. Implant was well positioned and had integrated with the adjacent end plates 6 months after surgery | Australia/2017 | [231] |
| Papillary thyroid carcinoma with very large lytic lesion involving C2–C4 vertebrae | columnar structure Self-stabilizing Artificial Vertebral Body (SSAVB) with bilateral shoulders | Ti6Al4V | / | Quick improvement in neurological function and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Good cervical vertebrae sequence and implant position at the 12-month follow-up point. The JOA score was 16/17 and the patient can independently engage in daily activities. | China/2017 | [232] |
| Complete spinal cord injury below T11 with exacerbated infectious spondylitis, and spine fusion failure and screw loosening | 3D printed cages with 4 arms to fix the screws | medical grade Ti6Al4V | EBM | 2 weeks after surgery, the back pain became tolerable and ambulation in wheelchair. No further signs of infection, mechanical complication, or newly developed neurologic symptoms. The fusion of the bone around the implants was stable. No loosen of the pedicle screws. | Korea/2019 | [233] |
| Renewed symptomatology after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion | porous titanium cages | Ti6Al4V ELI Powder | SLM | The cage revealed white tissue, similar to bone, lamellar bone can be found in the cage surface, the bony tissue infiltrated in the anterior 2/3rd of the cage, no fibrous tissue interface between the newly formed bone and the cage struts, no inflammatory cells or tissue reactions | Germany/2020 | [234] |
| Posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) due to Kümmell's Disease complicated by neurological deficits | 3D-printed artificial vertebral body (pore size: 800 ± 200 μm, 80% porosity) | Ti6AL4V | EBM | Significantly lower operative duration and blood loss, no implant related complications | China/2020 | [235] |
| Cervical spondylotic myelopathy | 3D-printed interbody fusion cages | Titanium alloy powder | EBM | No spinal cord injury, esophageal fistula, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, cervical hematoma or wound infection. Improved JOA, cervical curvature index (CCI) and SF-36 score. | China/2021 | [236] |
| Reconstruction of cervical lateral mass to maintain cervical stability | 3D-printed lateral mass prosthesis | Ti6A14V ELI | EBM | No implant-related complications such as prosthesis loosening, displacement, and compression were observed at the last follow-up | China/2022 | [237] |