Three-Dimensional Printing in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery: A Narrative Review of Patient-Specific Approaches Transforming Fracture Care Across Asia
Keywords:
three-dimensional printing; orthopedic trauma; patient-specific implants; surgical guides; fracture fixation; preoperative planning; additive manufacturingAbstract
Orthopedic trauma surgery faces persistent challenges in managing complex, intra-articular, and periarticular fractures, where conventional two-dimensional imaging often fails to convey true fracture morphology. Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a transformative additive-manufacturing technology enabling anatomical models, patient-specific surgical guides, and customized implants. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the technical foundations and clinical performance of 3D printing in fracture management, with particular attention to its rapid adoption across the Asia-Pacific region. Evidence from randomized trials and meta-analyses consistently demonstrates reduced operative time, lower intraoperative blood loss, fewer fluoroscopy exposures, improved reduction quality, and comparable or lower complication rates relative to conventional techniques. A comparative analysis of conventional versus 3D-assisted workflows highlights advantages in preoperative planning, intraoperative precision, and surgical education. Despite logistical, regulatory, and cost barriers, 3D printing represents a clinically meaningful advance toward personalized fracture care, and its trajectory suggests increasing integration into routine trauma practice throughout Asia and beyond.
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