How to Create and 3D Print a Model of the Skull and Orbit for Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons

Three-dimensional (3D) anatomical models are used in many ways in cranio-maxillo-facial (CMF) surgery, including being used to press-fit plates, mold splints, and for student teaching. Their use has many advantages, including the possibility of lowering operative time and allowing for more precise reconstructions with personalized plates, meshes, and splints. This can now be done in-house to speed up model availability for trauma surgery as well. Three-dimensional printers and software are quickly evolving—printers now are easily accessible, and the models are inexpensive to print. However, for a surgeon with no IT training, 3D printing even a simple anatomic model may be a challenge. The purpose of this article is to offer simple, step-by-step video tutorials demonstrating the process of extracting a CMF model from a patient CT scan, doing basic manipulation to the model, and then printing it in-house with a prosumer grade 3D printer. It is our hope that this user-friendly article will allow more surgeons and scientists to use 3D printing and its advantages.