Application of Additive Manufacturing Technology in Custom Surgery and Orthopedic Implants through 3D Bioprinting: Rapid Review

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders, which are the leading cause of global disability, require better implant reconstruction solutions, given the limitations of conventional implants in terms of anatomical fit, stability, and stress shielding risk. The objective of this rapid review is to summarize the latest evidence on the application of Additive Manufacturing (AM), 3D Printing, and 3D Bioprinting technologies in the manufacture of custom orthopedic implants. The method used was a Rapid Review with the PRISMA framework, which involved searching 3,291 articles in the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases and filtering them down to 14 selected articles. The results show that the integration of 3D imaging, 3D printing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) significantly improves visual-spatial understanding in orthopedic education, as well as improves implant placement accuracy (e.g., in THA), reduces operating time, blood loss, and radiation exposure through the use of AI-based 3D preoperative planning, custom models, and 3D-printed surgical guides. However, challenges remain in terms of cost, preoperative production time, and lack of long-term follow-up data. In conclusion, 3D and AI technologies have revolutionized orthopedic practice by improving accuracy, efficiency, and personalization of therapy, requiring large-scale research and long-term evaluation for sustainable clinical implementation.