Medical 3D Printing Cost-Savings in Orthopedic and Maxillofacial Surgery: Cost Analysis of Operating Room Time Saved with 3D Printed Anatomic Models and Surgical Guides

• Authors: David H Ballard, Washington University in St. Louis; Patrick Mills, Louisiana Technical University; Richard Duszak Jr., Emory University; Jeffery A Weisman, University of Illinois at Chicago; Frank J Rybicki, University of Cincinnati; Pamela K Woodard, Washington University in St. Louis
• Journal Title: ACADEMIC RADIOLOGY
• Volume: Volume 27, Number 8
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC | 2020-08-01, Pages 1103-1113
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2019.08.011
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Radiology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging; 3d printing; Three-dimensional printing; Cost-savings; Personalized medicine; Anatomic models; Surgical guides; Radiology; TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY; PATIENT-SPECIFIC INSTRUMENTATION; CONVENTIONAL INSTRUMENTATION; CUTTING GUIDES; BLOOD-LOSS; EFFICIENCY; ALIGNMENT; ACCURACY; TKA; RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional (3D) printed anatomic models and surgical guides have been shown to reduce operative time. The purpose of this study was to generate an economic analysis of the cost-saving potential of 3D printed anatomic models and surgical guides in orthopedic and maxillofacial surgical applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A targeted literature search identified operating room cost-per-minute and studies that quantified time saved using 3D printed constructs. Studies that reported operative time differences due to 3D printed anatomic models or surgical guides were reviewed and cataloged. A mean of $62 per operating room minute (range of $22–$133 per minute) was used as the reference standard for operating room time cost. Different financial scenarios were modeled with the provided cost-per-minute of operating room time (using high, mean, and low values) and mean time saved using 3D printed constructs. RESULTS: Seven studies using 3D printed anatomic models in surgical care demonstrated a mean 62 minutes ($3720/case saved from reduced time) of time saved, and 25 studies of 3D printed surgical guides demonstrated a mean 23 minutes time saved ($1488/case saved from reduced time). An estimated 63 models or guides per year (or 1.2/week) were predicted to be the minimum number to breakeven and account for annual fixed costs. CONCLUSION: Based on the literature-based financial analyses, medical 3D printing appears to reduce operating room costs secondary to shortening procedure times. While resource-intensive, 3D printed constructs used in patients’ operative care provides considerable downstream value to health systems.