Applications in Medicine

Preparing and Rehearsing

Complex and sensitive surgeries require extensive planning. In a surgery as delicate and involved as a cranial osteotomy, for example, the displacement of bone segments can be more accurately evaluated using a biomodel.

Surgical instruments identical to those used in the actual procedure can be employed on the biomodels to determine the most conservative strategy.

By helping to illuminate solutions to challenges encountered during surgery, biomodels can significantly reduce operating room time, thus reducing both trauma to the patient and financial costs.

Photo of residents with model for surgical planning of conjoined twins separation.

_{Craniofacial fellow and plastic surgery resident prepare for complex surgery with biomodel. Photo: Courtesey of Scott Qintard, UCLA.}

Pre-operative Planning | Effective Communication | Patient-Specific Implants

Pre-operative Planning

Biomodels have proven to be valuable tools in the successful planning and performing of complex surgical procedures, including:

Surgical Oncology
Thoracic and Cardiovascular
Plastic and Reconstructive
Craniofacial
Maxillofacial
Oral and Dental
Orthopedic

^{Biomodel of lower jaw with tumor in red.}

Effective Communication

Biomodels are valuable tools for communication, which can be crucial when a surgical team includes members of different specialties collaborating on a complex procedure.

Doctors can also use biomodels that help illustrate medical conditions and procedures to facilitate effective communication with their patients.

Biomodel showing neurovasculature of conjoined twins.

^{Biomodel of conjoined twins neurovasculature.}

Patient-Specific Implants

Biomodels also play an important role in anaplastology and craniofacial reconstruction.

Biomodels are used as molds or templates for producing patient-specific prosthetic implants.

^{Biomodel template and implants for cranioplasty.}

Follow the links below to learn more about: