@article {Coote49, author = {Jeffrey D. Coote and Theresa Nguyen and Kaitlyn Tholen and Caleb Stewart and Elizabeth Verter and John McGee and Paul Celestre and Korak Sarkar}, title = {Three-Dimensional Printed Patient Models for Complex Pediatric Spinal Surgery}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {49--53}, year = {2019}, doi = {10.31486/toj.18.0117}, publisher = {Ochsner Journal}, abstract = {Background: Pediatric spinal deformity surgeries are challenging operations that require considerable expertise and resources. The unique anatomy and rarity of these cases present challenges in surgical training and preparation. We present a case series illustrating how 3-dimensional (3-D) printed models were used in preoperative planning for 3 cases of pediatric spinal deformity surgery.Case Series: Patient 1 was a 6-year-old male with scoliosis secondary to an L3 hemivertebra and severe congenital heart disease who underwent excision of the L3 hemivertebra and L2-L4 spinal fusion. Patient 2 was an 11-year-old male with an L2 hemivertebra and lumbar kyphosis who underwent excision of the L2 hemivertebra and T12-L4 spinal fusion. Patient 3 was a 6-year-old female with Down syndrome who presented with atlantoaxial instability and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She underwent occipital-cervical spinal fusion and decompression. Prior to surgery, 3-D printed models of the patients{\textquoteright} spines were created based on computed tomography (CT) imaging.Conclusion: The anatomic complexity and risk of devastating neurologic consequences in spine surgery call for careful preparations. 3-D models enable more efficient and precise surgical planning compared to the use of 2-dimensional CT/magnetic resonance images. The 3-D models also make it easier to visualize patient anatomy, allowing patients and their families who lack medical training to interpret and understand cross-sectional anatomy, which in our experience, enhanced the consultations.}, issn = {1524-5012}, URL = {https://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/19/1/49}, eprint = {https://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/19/1/49.full.pdf}, journal = {Ochsner Journal} }