Titanium Patient-Specific Implants in Reconstructive Neurosurgery

Abstract

Surgery restoring lost parts of the skull, i.e., cranioplasty, is widely used in neurosurgical practice. We have compared operations using patient-specific implants obtained by two different methods: formation based on anatomical models and direct three-dimensional printing (direct metal laser sintering, DMLS). Both methods gave comparable clinical efficacy, though the DMLS manufacturing process avoids the need for intermediate devices and produces the required implant directly, giving this method an advantage.