As personalized medicine continues to shape healthcare, hospitals are seeking smarter ways to deliver more precise, patient-centered care. One of the most important innovations driving this shift is point-of-care 3D printing - producing 3d anatomical models inside the hospital so teams can plan complex procedures faster and with more confidence.
A growing body of clinical research confirms what leading health systems have seen firsthand: hospital 3D printing, especially for surgical planning with 3D printing, can significantly improve surgical outcomes, reduce operating room time, and boost team confidence across specialties.
Our latest eBook compiles the most recently published data, studies, and case examples demonstrating the immense value of 3D printed anatomical models.
Surgical planning often relies on 2D imaging alone - CT and MRI scans that provide valuable information but can lack the clarity and spatial understanding required for complex or high-risk procedures. These limitations can lead to:
As surgical cases grow in complexity, hospitals need more precise, patient-specific solutions to help teams visualize anatomy, rehearse procedures, and improve communication.
3D printed anatomical models, derived directly from patient imaging data, address these challenges head-on. Produced in-house or through centralized labs, these models help clinicians:
The result is better-informed decisions, improved surgical accuracy, and higher confidence in the operating room.
Stratasys’ Digital Anatomy® printer takes this further by replicating both the shape and mechanical behavior of human tissue. Surgeons can interact with models that mimic soft tissue, vasculature, and bone, enhancing the realism and value of pre-surgical planning.
New research and case studies continue to validate the clinical and operational impact of 3D printed anatomical models.
A 2024 study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology revealed that surgical planning with 3D printing cut operating room time by an average of 41 minutes, equating to a cost savings of more than $2,500 per procedure. These findings were based on more than 2,600 cases submitted to the RSNA-ACR 3D Printing Registry.
At the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, orthopedic surgeons used 3D printed guides to reduce surgical time by one hour while improving precision in complex bone tumor cases. Pediatric hospitals like Seattle Children’s and Nicklaus Children’s have documented how models support high-risk airway and cardiac surgeries, helping surgeons rehearse procedures in advance and improving post-operative outcomes.
Studies also confirm that 3D models improve student engagement, recall, and anatomical understanding in classroom and simulation settings. Digital Anatomy models are increasingly being used to supplement limited cadaver access and standardize training across specialties.
Point of care 3D printing brings the lab to the hospital, putting surgeons and clinical teams in direct control of how, when, and why models are created. Compared to outsourced workflows, in-house 3D printing offers several key advantages:
As demand for personalized surgical care grows, more hospitals are establishing point-of-care 3D printing labs to meet clinical, operational, and educational needs.
Stratasys’ new eBook offers a comprehensive look at how hospitals around the world are leveraging 3D printed anatomical models to improve surgical planning, streamline workflows, and deliver better patient outcomes.
Drawing from the latest peer-reviewed studies and real-world case examples, the report highlights how surgical teams are using patient-specific anatomical models to reduce OR time, enhance procedural accuracy, improve education and communication, and accelerate time to treatment. It also explores the impact of point of care 3D printing, showcasing how in-house capabilities powered by the Digital Anatomy® printer are transforming clinical and operational efficiency.
Whether you’re evaluating hospital 3D printing for the first time or looking to scale an existing initiative, this eBook provides the clinical evidence, workflow comparisons, and specialty-specific applications needed to guide your investment.
