3D printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine—case studies, methods and future perspectives

IntroductionConventional surgical planning in veterinary medicine is based on two-dimensional imaging, while advanced planning incorporates technologies such as three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual simulations. 3D printing has emerged as a promising tool, providing greater precision and cust...

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Main Authors: Ramon Rodrigues de Lima, Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1596577/full
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author Ramon Rodrigues de Lima
Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho
Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho
author_facet Ramon Rodrigues de Lima
Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho
Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho
author_sort Ramon Rodrigues de Lima
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionConventional surgical planning in veterinary medicine is based on two-dimensional imaging, while advanced planning incorporates technologies such as three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual simulations. 3D printing has emerged as a promising tool, providing greater precision and customization of surgical procedures. The objective of the study is to analyze the applicability of 3D technology for surgical planning in veterinary medicine.MethodsThe physical model is materialized using different techniques, such as stereolithography (SLA), selective laser melting (SLM), and fused deposition modeling (FDM), the latter being the most accessible and used in this report. To construct the digital models, the CT data are processed using inVesalius 3.1 software, a Brazilian program for segmentation and rendering of medical images. The resulting model is exported in .stl format and refined using Blender® software. The final printing is performed using the FDM method, using a slicer software, such as Ultimaker Cura®, which converts the 3D model into layers and generates commands for the printer. This process allows greater control over parameters such as temperature and speed, ensuring precision in the production of physical models.ResultsFive different cases using 3D technology for surgical planning in dogs were described. In the first three cases, complete skulls were printed for oncological and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery; in the last cases the areas of surgical interest were portions of the spinal column, the atlantoaxial region, and the thoracolumbar vertebrae.Conclusion3D printing has been gaining ground in veterinary medicine, becoming a valuable tool in surgical planning and simulations. Even with the known relevance of new 3D technologies, more studies are needed in the development of new available materials, combination of techniques, accessibility, and medical education for the use of new applications and possibilities of 3D printing.
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spelling doaj-art-27db03e348214d0d982cad2f964053392025-08-20T02:36:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-07-011210.3389/fvets.2025.159657715965773D printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine—case studies, methods and future perspectivesRamon Rodrigues de Lima0Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho1Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho2Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Center of João Pessoa—UNIPÊ, João Pessoa, BrazilDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University Center of João Pessoa—UNIPÊ, João Pessoa, BrazilDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SwedenIntroductionConventional surgical planning in veterinary medicine is based on two-dimensional imaging, while advanced planning incorporates technologies such as three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual simulations. 3D printing has emerged as a promising tool, providing greater precision and customization of surgical procedures. The objective of the study is to analyze the applicability of 3D technology for surgical planning in veterinary medicine.MethodsThe physical model is materialized using different techniques, such as stereolithography (SLA), selective laser melting (SLM), and fused deposition modeling (FDM), the latter being the most accessible and used in this report. To construct the digital models, the CT data are processed using inVesalius 3.1 software, a Brazilian program for segmentation and rendering of medical images. The resulting model is exported in .stl format and refined using Blender® software. The final printing is performed using the FDM method, using a slicer software, such as Ultimaker Cura®, which converts the 3D model into layers and generates commands for the printer. This process allows greater control over parameters such as temperature and speed, ensuring precision in the production of physical models.ResultsFive different cases using 3D technology for surgical planning in dogs were described. In the first three cases, complete skulls were printed for oncological and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery; in the last cases the areas of surgical interest were portions of the spinal column, the atlantoaxial region, and the thoracolumbar vertebrae.Conclusion3D printing has been gaining ground in veterinary medicine, becoming a valuable tool in surgical planning and simulations. Even with the known relevance of new 3D technologies, more studies are needed in the development of new available materials, combination of techniques, accessibility, and medical education for the use of new applications and possibilities of 3D printing.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1596577/full3D printingdogsveterinary medicinesurgerypreoperative planning
spellingShingle Ramon Rodrigues de Lima
Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho
Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho
3D printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine—case studies, methods and future perspectives
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
3D printing
dogs
veterinary medicine
surgery
preoperative planning
title 3D printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine—case studies, methods and future perspectives
title_full 3D printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine—case studies, methods and future perspectives
title_fullStr 3D printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine—case studies, methods and future perspectives
title_full_unstemmed 3D printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine—case studies, methods and future perspectives
title_short 3D printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine—case studies, methods and future perspectives
title_sort 3d printing for advanced surgical planning in veterinary medicine case studies methods and future perspectives
topic 3D printing
dogs
veterinary medicine
surgery
preoperative planning
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1596577/full
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AT lucasrannierribeiroantoninocarvalho 3dprintingforadvancedsurgicalplanninginveterinarymedicinecasestudiesmethodsandfutureperspectives