The Application and Challenges of 3D Printing in Spinal Tumors

Spinal tumors refer to primary and secondary tumors that occur in the spine, which can cause serious complications such as spinal fractures and nerve damage. Surgical resection is still one of the important methods for the treatment of spinal tumors. Traditional scraping surgery is limited by narrow visual field and complex anatomy, with more intraoperative bleeding, low resection rate, nerve function damage, and high postoperative recurrence rate. With the use of en-block resection of spinal tumors, adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, etc. Especially with the introduction of 3D printing technology, from atlanto-axial composite prosthesis to long-segment artificial vertebrae or personalized pelvic prosthesis, 3D printing is based on patient CT data to construct personalized models that perfectly match the defect site. It achieves personalized and precise replacement in clinical practice, greatly improves the resection rate of complex tumors, and perfectly reconstructs the stability of the spine, improving clinical efficacy. However, we still face serious problems in clinical practice. Large tumors are often accompanied by abundant blood supply. How to control bleeding during surgery, the contradiction between the preservation of nerve function and tumor resection, the long-term biomechanical stability of postoperative prosthesis, the regeneration of damaged nerves, and the control of wound infection. Therefore, we believe that the treatment of spinal tumors requires deepening the cross-border integration of clinical and medical engineering. In addition to requiring doctors' clinical strategies and surgical techniques, it also requires engineers' precise calculations and material innovation. It is necessary to deeply integrate A-type 3D printing materials with cutting-edge surgical plans to break down disciplinary barriers. Promote the integration of medicine and engineering to deepen and provide more treatment plans for more patients.

Specializes in minimally invasive treatment of spinal tumors, spinal cord injuries, cervical spondylosis, and lumbar disc herniation. Advocates for endoscopic and microscope-assisted spinal-related surgical treatment, insists on relieving patients' pain with minimal surgical trauma. The surgery has the advantages of minimal trauma, significantly improved postoperative symptoms, fast recovery, and short-term discharge. The annual number of main surgeries exceeds 500, and the surgical efficacy and satisfaction are leading in the country. He has conducted in-depth research on spinal tumors, spinal cord injuries, and degenerative spinal diseases. He has led and participated in multiple projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation and the Beijing Natural Science Foundation, and has published many related SCI papers.