Eyrique Goh Boay Heong, Adrian Teoh Zen Yi, Ong Shir Lee, Suryasmi Duski
Ulus Medical Journal - 2025;3(2):34-43
Three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted surgery has recently been adopted across various medical fields. Among these, orthopaedic oncology represents one of the most practical and actively utilized areas. Common applications include bone and tumour modelling for surgical planning, fabrication of personalized surgical instruments (e.g., jigs and hinges), and both direct and indirect implant fabrication. The introduction of direct 3D-printed metal implants using titanium alloy powder has revolutionized bone reconstruction by enabling fully customized solutions for all anatomical regions. However, bioprinting remains experimental and under active investigation. Because direct 3D printing is highly costly, modifications in implant fabrication-such as printing moulds for bone cement shaping-have been explored as more economical alternatives. This review discusses the practical applications of 3D printing in orthopaedic oncology and presents a representative case. 3D-printed implants can replace conventional tumour prostheses and auto/allografts, thereby enabling personalized bone reconstruction. In the near future, biologic bone reconstruction using biodegradable or bio printed materials beyond metals appears both feasible and promising.
