[3D printing in plastic surgery, an accessible tool: Technical note around a case of otopoiesis assisted by 3D model]

Abstract

3D printing has been used in the medical field since the beginning of the 21st century. Over the years, it has been democratized and has become an accessible tool at almost no cost, provided that a 3D printer is available. The surgeon can thus easily integrate it into his practice and techniques in the operating room, provided that he learns to use 3D image processing software. In order to illustrate the whole process, from the genesis and processing of the 3D image to its application in the operating room, we describe the case of a patient with a left auricle amputation, whose reconstruction was guided by a 3D model printed from his right ear.

Keywords: 3D model; 3D printing; Chirurgie plastique; Ear; Impression 3D; Modèle 3D; Oreille; Otopoiesis; Otopoïèse; Plastic surgery.